Of innocuousness and insolence: A dialogue on commitment in Nigerian drama

Abstract

Questioning repression and exploitation especially of the working class is the hallmark of committed writing. This paper looks at the relevance of literature or art to life with a focus on the Nigerian experience. Our commitment as dramatists is to capture socio political experiences in our environments by clearly expressing the anxieties and sensibilities of our societies. The paper submits that the committed dramatist is one who knows his history and refuses to bow to the hegemonic structures of the system (status quo). Also, our writings as dramatists and artistes must not just offer mere social criticism but expose the social institutions in our communities and countries at large by properly delineating the conflicts and struggles between individuals and social classes. The paper concludes that, for our writing and indeed art to find relevance and make impact on the teeming population, it must provide ‘hope’ through reminding the world of a need to re – humanize with a focus on loving ourselves as humans, comforting ourselves and caring for ourselves.

Keywords: committed writing, Nigerian Drama, arts for art’s sake