Muscat: Omani dramas have for the first time in decades been totally absent from Omani television screens this Ramadan, signalling a slow death of a once vibrant television industry in the country.
Critics say that with the advances witnessed in the plot lines, technology, scripts, and acting in television series from neighbouring countries, Oman’s television shows have not been able to keep up.
For the first time in many years, Oman’s Public Authority for Radio and Television has purchased rights to air Gulf and Arab series this Ramadan on Oman’s state-run TV, without commissioning a single Omani drama series.
Observers, however, believe that Omani viewers who have shunned the newer drama series nonetheless continue to watch old Omani and Gulf hits from the 1980s and 1990s. Sulaiman Al Mamari, a leading Omani writer, says the death of the industry is lamented in the industry — by actors, writers and directors — but not by Omani audiences whose viewing preferences have changed and moved elsewhere.
“I don’t know why these mourners throw the blame on the Public Authority for Radio and Television for buying other (foreign) dramas, forgetting the Omani viewers’ outrage at the poor quality of their own drama,” said Al Mamari.
He added that the authority is now under pressure from viewers who want drama series that reflect their reality and concerns, as well as from those who work in the industry who accuse the authority of ignoring and sidelining them in favour of foreign content.
He explained that Omanis have not received newer productions with the same enthusiasm as the older Omani series.
Abdullah Al Batashi, a director, however told Gulf News that the absence of local dramas this year is indeed being felt by Omani audiences who are nostalgic of some of the past hits. He criticised the cancelling of Omani dramas this year, describing what is happening to the industry as an “execution”.
Yousuf Al Balushi, another director, said the absence of Omani drama this time came as a shock for Omani viewers and as well as artists in the industry.
“It’s a frustration for all artists in the country and the slide in the oil prices is not a reason to stop drama this year,” said Al Balushi, responding to speculation that the decision not to commission local works was due to budgetary issues caused by the low oil price in a country that relies primarily on hydrocarbon sales for revenue.
Abdu Salam Al Tamimi, an Omani actor, believes that the authority concerned has deliberately excluded the local drama works this year, without explaining the reasons behind that.
Ahmad Al Hadrami, Drama expert, told Gulf News that a lack of acting skills and a reluctance to tackle controversial topics leads to the distorting image of the current Omani drama and a lack of interest among audiences. He said hot topics like drug abuse, drinking issue and the prevalence of AIDS are banned in the Omani drama, which also have affected the quality of the drama. Some of the most popular Omani productions of the 1980s and 1990s did, however, deal with some of the issues.
“Omani series need more time to grow and compete with other Gulf and Arab dramas by drawing in new script writers, actors, actresses and drama experts from outside the country,” Al Hadrami said.
Naser Al Batashi, another actor, believes that establishing a body for Omani dramas that is independent of the official broadcaster will help develop the drama industry and improve payments.
Drama critics see low wages as a major factor that deters would-be artists from pursuing an acting career. Many veteran Omani actors and actresses are now regularly seen in high-budget productions of neighbouring Gulf states like the UAE and Kuwait. Al Maamaari says the shortage of actors, script writers, producers and directors also led to the deterioration of Omani drama.
Among the famous Omani actors who have either made the migration to other Gulf states or have made their names there are Fakhriya Khamis, Ebrahim Al Zadjali, Shama Mohammad, Saud Al Darmaki, Juma Haikal and Buthaina Al Raisi.
Omani serials were renowned in the Gulf in the 1980s and 1990s. More than seven acclaimed serials were produced over the two decades by the Oman TV channel.
Those serials included Fajoorah wa Shangoob, Saeed wa Saeedah, Shaib Khalaf, Khalfan phi Mahab Al Reeh, Shanjoob wa Al Fak Al Muftarees (Shanjoob and the Predator’s Jaw) and Oman in History.
Saleh Zaal, Saleh Shuwayrid, Fakryah Khamis, Saud Al Darmaki and Ameenah Abdu Al Rasool were the major actors and actresses in these productions.
