INTERVIEW WITH MR. SHOAL BALOGUN, A PLAY WRITGHT, FILM MAKER, POET. Yoruba creative vision that has really inspired me in my artistic undertakings by SHOLA BALOGUN

INTERVIEW WITH MR. SHOLA BALOGUN, A PLAY WRITGHT, FILM MAKER, POET.

Yoruba creative vision that has really inspired me in my artistic undertakings by SHOLA BALOGUN

E.P: Can we know you?
AND: My name is Shola Balogun, I am from Igboora, Ibarapa Central, Oyo State Nigeria, I obtained a masters degree in theatre Arts from university of Ibadan, I am a play wrighter, poet, film maker and writer, my creative music is the mystic Ladder in the Yoruba world and judeo Christian thoughts, submit that my poetry is in the ladder seeing by Jacob the Hebrew patriarch in the vision whose top of it is said to reach to heaven. My creative music moves beyond the world of forms to the world of formlessness, from interpretations to experience from the natural to the supernatural.
A poet, sometime is a priest in such a role one must know how to bridge the gult between what should be said through observation and what needs to be encoded through diction. The Yoruba world vision that “Oba Ki Mu Onkorin” comes in handy. The poets fury and bitter anger against injustice looting, immoral actions of the rulers are coined playfully but dangerously.
I have featured as a guest writer and contributor, especially in the areas of poetry, post colonial studies  and dramatic criticism to various magazines,
Anthologies including international journal of rescued (Edupadic publication scholar support scheme) New Delhi, India.

The creative launcher, an international open access pear reviewed and refereed E- journal in English vol. 11, I issue iii (August 2017).
European languages, university of Allahabad, Udkar Pradeshi, India.

The Tai literacy and visual Art
Journal of Lourdes university, sylearia, ohio, the invisible bear, a journal affiliated with Duke university’s English department graduate poetry working group (Durham, north Carolina)

Creative Talents
Unleashed: cupidp arrow anthology. 60 years of the muse VI (edited by Professor Femi Osofisan
Question 2, What inspires you in your artistic undertaking?

Ans: It is Yoruba creative vision that has really inspired me in my artistic undertakings by Yoruba creative vision, I mean the Yoruba traditional theater, cultural festivals, poetry and language permit me to come in here both as a poet and acid reader of several world literatures from my youth background to shake spare’s England, Arabic poetry and what I would refer to as Judeo – Christian thoughts. As you correctly observed those poems writer poets whose English is not their first language carry some meanings beyond the shores of English language. They carry in them the profundity, the spiritual intuition the unbroken chords of native symbolism as which could not be defined in the mould of any other tongust in my summation as an example, a perceptive of look into Yoruba contexts serves to provide me with what I call “cosmic esthetics apprehensions of imageries which are both sensual, dramatic and esoteric.
Every creative intellectual who is truly ardent in his native dialect, arts and spiritual visions will not fail to understand what ties with t as the times between the familiar and the unfamiliar. It is one to be a poet, it is quite another to be a true poet. A true poet does not  only have a way with words. It true poet is a word smith, a true poet is a great is a imaginer, to write in English, he must bring more of his lagunity, so maturity and pyro dynamic course seasons into English not only to meet or bend his native language to suit the familiar but mainly to bring the unfamiliar into English in the world of his native tongue. This is a form of awakening, not expatriated from having the proper nativity and creative transmission help me prapoting this with all humility that there are some expressions in Yoruba whose consciousness and weights could only be understood by melting English into a totally different English without leaving out the Englishness.
The impact of this approach has enlarged the bodies of English, added more volumes into English vocabulary and a distinct genre to worlds literature in several of my poems, especially those that deal with traditional Yoruba projectional such as “The Road”, song’s “Balled”, the statue of Moremi “Fakon” “Eyes in the Cile” “Rain whispered” “Othello” I step out to Hwaad this creative line of thought, one convinced my essays further specially “Theatre Aesthetics” in pre colonial Africa.

E.P: Tell us some of your works that have been published or produced.
Ans: Some of my books that have been published are “The wrestling of Jacob” “Death and sucide in selected Africa plays” “praying dangerously” “the cry of blind bertimaus” they are available as e-book and paper book formats. My films and screen plays are:
“The Gods are laws
“Wrestling with Shadokws”
“The secret place”
“Deliverance From the rod of the wicked”
Some of my published scholarly articles include:
“Theatre Aesthetics in pre-colonial Africa”
“Mystic ladder in the Yoruba world and Judeo Christian vision”
The Tragic conventions in African play”
“Tragedy in African theatre”
“Traditional Religious festival as theatre”
“woman, Yoruba, festival drums and the theatre”
E.P: How will you describe the attitude of the productive?
Ans: The attitude of the Nigerian reading poetic to published works and production is at best honorous to me, by “Productions I assume you mean home – videos and television, networks. You can hardly find a single book, not to talk of a book shelf in a Nigeria home but you will surely find out to your battlement not that almost each home has a convertible theatre. No thanks to cable networks. We embrace the sensual to the detriment of the intellectual. It is not truly encouraging. There is a reason only the jews are called “People of the book” and we witness to what they have contributed as a verse to the world in an fields of linage endeavours. We need to reconsider only world perceptions.
E.P: Who are those, you look up to in the Arts.
Ans: In the arts, I look up to in such geniuses as Wole Soyinka, A;miri Baraka (Leroi Jews) the mystic poet Sum, Rumi, Omar Khayyam, Duro Ladipo, Efdward Said, Tunde Awosanmi, Leopold Religious circle, I look up to Dr. D. K. Olukoya, Laster Sumrall, Martin Luther.
E.P: Sir how rewarding is the vocation?
Ans: One’s love for creative vision is quite rewarding on its own. It sharpens one thoughts and help to have a purposeful living with the joy that one is contributions to world literature as an imaginer. But in terms of monitory reward, it is my belief that one may still be in the period of sowing.
E.P: Any new work from you e.g new book, film production or concert.
Ans: At present, I have two books which are set to be out soon.- The Demonic Third eye, and The Book of Jasher.. likewise a film titled The Spirit Behind.
These works will be available at book shops across Nigeria especially Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministries bookshop, they will also be available for direct purchase from me.

E.P: Your projection for the next five years.
Ans: Candid is to have volumes that will really shake the foundation of Africa creative writings. Now this is amusing, may be to considered a chair in Harvard or worthy of Nobel prize in literature (Laughs)
E.P: Finally your message to your readers?
Ans: My message to my fans and my readers is that I love them with the love of Christ the power and the wisdom of God.

Thank you so much.

I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CULTURE AND DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF BLACK AFRICAN MUSIC BY NADYAB SHANAB

I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CULTURE AND DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF BLACK AFRICAN MUSIC BY NADYAB SHANAB  

E:P. Lets get to know you and your music

Ans: Nadyab Shanab. I am from Egypt I am here to explore the music and culture of this great people, to learn more about what is going on in Lagos especially since my music involved waving Arabic music with western culture but now I hope to do more Afro Egyptian sound bringing the best of Egypt to the rest of Africa

E.P: Now in terms of exposing the Egyptian music to the African continent what is your aim in this great fusion?

Ans: My aim is that I want to bring the Egyptian music blending with some African rhythms. Most especially I hope to visit some African countries, I don’t want to be researching from behind the screen I want to visit this places myself and see where I can collaborate with them, I want to learn more about the culture, about the people and I want to combine the different elements of black African music with Egyptian. Likewise I want to remind people that Egypt is part of Africa and people to them.

E.P:  This very musical odyssey you are going how many countries you hope to visit and explore their music fussing it with the Egyptian music.

Ans: I have several of them on my tost, but it all depend on my financial

E.P: (Cut in) But Africa is very wide?

Ans: Yes am starting with Nigeria where I am presently which coincoded with my trop for felabration, Nigeria has a very wide and extensive musical environment. Am hoping to next go to Kenya, Mali, South Africa, Morrocco,  Tanzania, Ethopia, and other this is in order to get the different music of this countries. Rock music coming out of the continent in fact I would have love to visit the Fifty Four countries in but am taking it one at a time.

E.P: What is your perception of Nigeria music forms? I mean the music scene itself.

Ans: i have not experience it, yet, but am excited about tomorrow concert but I have been listening to Nigeria music for several years. Also Afrobeat itself, also for the last Fifteen years Nigerian music which is quite infectious and easy to dance. You know the Egyptian people love to dance also. And I hope one day Nigerian music to Egypt to be performed live.

E.P:  Your music does it have an Islamic colouration with the fact that Egypt your country is an Islamic country? I know music has a universal language.

Ans. I know, my personal music doesn’t have any Islamic colouration, I try to as secular as possible in music but sometimes influences do crep in, wether welike it or not it is not intentionally Islamic (I mean my music).

E.P: But a little bit of mises crep in

Ans: Yes but I don’t listen to a lot of Islamic music.

INTERVIEW WITH OLUWATOSIN AJALA

EP: Can we know you?
Ans: I am Oluwa Tosin Ajala, am a talking drummer, I have been playing the talking drum for over 15year now.

E.P: How did the passion for talking drums develop?
Ans: Well I just develop the passion because when I play this instrument I’m always happy, it brings joy to my heart.
E.P: Do you have a band of your own?
Ans: Not yet, I play with some life band, infact up to 7 different band and less
E.P: What is your projection in terms of playing the drum?
Ans: How  wish by next year I should be like Ara the female interest, and talking drummer but with God I will get there.
E.P: What is your message to your fans and music lovers.
Ans: I thank them immensely for the love they always show to me and that they can get my contact through my facebook/ Oluwatosin Ajala

The younger generation needs to respect us for the establishing this culture of arts, comedy and music

THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS NEEDS TO RESPECT US FOR ESTABLISHING THIS CULTURE OF ART, COMEDY AND MUSIC SAYS OTUNBA OLATUNJI SOTIMIRIN.

ENTERAINMENT PARROT INTERVIEW WITH OTUNBA OLATUNJI SOTIMIRIN, A VETERAN ACTOR, MUSICIAN, DANCER, DRUMMER AND LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CREATIVE ART AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS. NIGERIA

E.P: Sir for the benefit of the younger generation can you introduce yourself?

Ans: My name is Olatunji Sotimirin a performing artist, I have been a university lecturer, a musician, story teller comedian, a broadcaster infact anything that has to do with performing arts is my area of concentration.

E.P: Can you tell us some notable plays that you have done?

Ans: Yes I have quite a member of play among which are the “Lion and the Jewel” “the road” by Professor Wole Shoyinka. At Peace, on tour of Republic of Ireland for three months), “Rhythm of Hope” Andore Goes Kinshasa, the Boat, Bodiso, Jaakariwo, Beautification of Area Boy, A Raisen in the sun, what the Butler saw, Yemoja, (performed in Mexico and Nigeria), the Boa t, Pandora Box (Performes in London), The Kalakutans, Okikiro, Molve (a solo performance), I have also written plays like “ Conscience” “Waiting for John”, “Ojoro Kansolo”, Mofable, Tribute to Gani Fawehinmi” so many of this plays are performed here and in Europe, unless I can end you my C.V, I can’t just remember in order to get the right data to know, when they were performed.

E.P: Now sir which very production brought you to the limelight because I could remember a T.v production on NTA2 a Yoruba production that you are very much involved with.

Ans: (Cut in) could it be “Owuro Lojo?

E.P: Yes

Ans: Oh, it depicted the 60’s, early 65’s. it has a great cultural massage, it was produced by Bunmi Oyinsan and her husband featuring quite a number of very powerful and experienced artist, Joke silva, Olu Jacobs also Iya Ibeji Omo Arayele, Salomey was also there. It won an award I was nominated for the best actor I think ye that you could say was one of the plays that brought me to limelight, but on stage production “Death and the Kings Houseman” was also incredible in terms of the interpretation of that I gave it and was given wider media coverage and of course if you remember in the day Ajo FETIVAL by Fred Agbayegbe  that was live theater was very vibrant.

E.P: Yes I remember Late Jide Ogungbade was part of it

Ans: Of course he directed it, Antai Laniyan”, Ben Tomoloju, Jahman Anikulapo were part of the production cast that was the very heart of stage production in Nigeria everybody who was somebody in theatre started from that very level Richard Mofe Damijo, Clarion Chukwura etc some of them have travelled abroad, some have passed on, that’s are other crop of production that brought me to limelight,” woe unto Death” “Budiso”, “the king must dance naked” were all written by Fred Agbeyegbe and directed by Jide Ogungbagbe, likewise my one man performance also help project me, I mean in the eighties I started to do a lot of one man show, it started to manifest to the public when I was featuring on “NI FAAJI KELELE” on NTA2 Channel7 where I do comic shits with animate objects  it was very unique and nobody has done that and it was when I started to develop the concept of solo performance- it develop to a point and I conceptualize “Molve” which is what you can call a mini Nigerian. It reflect the entire social, political and cultural system of life via citizenry in Nigeria that is why I called it, a Mini Ideal Nigeria, so whatever am showing you will know the message we go through and try to pass along.

E.P: It is basically a one man show?

Ans: Yes it is a one man show and I embarked on it the early eighties I think 87 and it enjoyed massive press coverage, Late elder Steve Rhodes  saw it and invited me to come and show case it at his annual Christmas Choral Festival with the Steve Rhodes voices, He wrote a letter I still have it, if these younger one will like to have a sense of history, they seems to be losing it, they need to know what has been, the need to research into productions even before they came into limelight what I discovered is that they are so ignorant, they need to know and realize that these people have done a lot for the industry and needs to be respected for establishing this culture of arts, of comedy and music-that they met, I remember at the University of Ibadan with the late Sam Loco we use to do “Theatre on the screen” on NTA Ibadan, this was very popular in the western region and other parts of Nigeria with Akin Lewis, Olumide Bakare, At the University of Ibadan production company professor Femi Osofisan use to write scripts, a number of script which we act, I remember we also use to travel to NTA Ilorin, Abeokuta with Dudu Alabi Itandeyin (Dudu Productions), you knows we travelled to  vertically every part of Nijgeria including Recording radio programmes, T.V with the Late Chief Wale Ogunyemi, we also travel with Prof. Soyinka to Several Countries with his play.

“King Babu” was a play we toured to South Africa, Germany, Switzerland and a couple of other place under the directorship of Ben Tomoloju including JERO METAMORPHOSIS” or his play Jaakariwo or stuff like that.

E.P: Sir we can’t ignore a very important aspect of your artistic live- the Konkere Music what was your intention?

Ans: Konkere music is a musical experiment  that project our musical cultural diversity and still project the type of music that is total theatre arts due to the fact that exposed to a lot of training as an actor, a story teller, a dancer, a drummer, so Konkere explore our indigenous cultural arts forms therefore there is Apala in it, there is Fuji, There is traditional jazz, all manner of the peoples tradition all of that can be called of a fusion of all those cultural elements, all the cultural elements you can find in music although its heavy on the Yoruba side but it also embraces their culture aspect is somebody who has work with  the centre for cultural studies at the university of lagos I have brought to fore  a kind of experience I have had in the university environment. So Konkere Music came from this ideas or philosophy that we practice in the university environment so we take it to town so we not only speak grammer on campus, so people can see what we are doing on campus people can see it and break it down to simple language not only for the university environment because basically what we do in the university is to preserve the knowledge what we have in writing and in practice. So it is not about putting all the idea in a book shelf to take it to town. So our people can benefit from it.

E.P: Your incursion sir into the academics environment struck me sir as something that has to do with determination, it also challenge me concerning some things I have neglected for so long, so sir how did you realize this.

Ans: You know the university environment if you have what I called inclination to go in certain areas it will be a good thing to follow that inclination-like you use the word determination. I was determine to give everything that is necessary to reach the highest level of academic and am going to achieve that because I know I had the qualities of what the professors give to the universities at the university of Ibadan where I studies so it is not out of place that God has found a place for me to realize my vision, my dream, for the career that I want to pursue. so I appreciate what God has done and also usually to encourage a lot of people who have the talent to do it, instead of withdrawing, you know the academic environment can be very frustrating, a lot of people can also discourage you and say, how much are they paying you, but, it can be interesting of course it can be boring that is why I have to combine my talent as a performing artist with teaching. So its me and found it interesting.

So intellectually, artistically it is rewarding and I give it all I have, I have been able to take care of my family, face everything that has to do with arts, I play drums there, even in Uk I play drums too but we were to do more. Whenever invited around the world to speak infact on anything art, you know arts mirrors the society. So I have been invited to deliver lectures on African theatre because I grew up knowing Africa theatre I played Were music, traditional music because this is African theatre I dance, I chant, I sing, also when I go to give lectures I don’t go with book even though I still read about other peoples perspectives in the academic environment, the academics I want to say encourage people that once they see the signal or the sign to follow their dream it might be frustrating, they should follow their dream.

E.P: So sir this is a follow up on Konkere Music how is the band is it still functioning e.g playing at occasions?

Ans.: Ah we play at occasion, the band Konkere is still playing good and vibrant music, the day that Mr. Kolade Oshinowo a very big fish in the area of visual arts had his birthday I was the anchor because my band played there at his birthday.

Also my H.O.D Mrs. Peju Layiwolla on her birthday, Ahmed Yerima on his Sixty birthday Konkere played there. We have play several times at the French Cultural centre, performed in Europe, sometimes if I cannot take the whole band I just go to location or ceremony and call one or two people and they back Konkere up, so we are still very much around. Infact when people invite me as an M.C they also invite my band, once we are invited we play.

E.P: What is your reaction to the decline in stage production?

Ans: Entertainment parrot that is a wrong perception stage production is still very vibrant infact very vibrant now than what it used to be, the people were passionate about stage production but at a stage felt well I have to feed my family so they branched to other profession it nosedived to other things like advertising, journalism, public relations, telecommunications companies e.tc. some have travelled abroad and abandon it so that was when stage production became non vibrant, so they went into other things but I can guarantee you go to freedom park, go to muson center, go to terra kulture so it is back also a lot of people are wiser now and know the potential of making a lot of money from theatre that is why a lot people that don’t have anything to do with the arts are now going into it. So I will encourage the real practitioners of theatre to go into the business part of it play packaging the artist, they should go in search of those who can tanslate their idea into money making ventures.

E.P: What is your opinion on government attitude to the arts?

Ans: For now its only a few who seems to know the value, I remember when Ambode came in he promoted theatre, music because it also promoted their program, a couples of them who know their value of art are doing so.

E.P: What will be your message to your fans and our readers?

Ans: I want to thank everybody I appreciate their support for following my works. I also want to use this medium to tell them I am still very much practicing in spite of teaching engagements at the university  of Lagos, so  it is one thing that gives me joy sharing this idea from the university to the grass root and am happy that you have been following  my music “Konkere” which is still very much vibrant and my other artistic engagement I want to pray that God will continue to keep you in the right direction and I thank you for praying for us, for me and following my works.

At the 10th Cora publishers forum today at Lagos city Hall where publishers, writers and book enthusiasts deliberated on the way forward for the industry.

At the 10th Cora publishers forum today held at city hall Lagos island, where publishers, writers and book enthusiasts engaged in serious deliberation on the way forward for the industry. Entertainment parrot brings you pictures from the event. 

NIGERIA FILM.COM AND MERFOT PROPERTIES ATTEMPT TO RUIN AMBASSADOR LANRE OMIYINKA ( BABA IJESHA) ARTISTIC CAREER THROUGH FALSE AND MALICIOUS ALLEGATION.

NIGERIA FILM.COM AND MERFOT PROPERTIES ATTEMPT TO RUIN AMBASSADOR LANRE OMIYINKA ( BABA IJESHA) ARTISTIC CAREER THROUGH FALSE AND MALICIOUS ALLEGATION.

The allegations of non performance and going to Ooni of Ife to beg for money written by Hope Efoghe and Blessing Okafor in Nigeria films.com is not only a smear campaign and well organised attempt on the personality and career of this God fearing comedian, one of the best in the Yoruba genre.

If the writer has taken the journalistic route of hearing from the other side (Baba Ijesa) and make attempt to speak with the property company on the allegation he would have a balanced report. First on the allegation of going to His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja the 2^nd Ooni of Ife to beg for money. Here are the facts Ambassador Olarewaju Omiyinka Alias Baba Ijesha was born in Ile Ife and his recognized and highly successful son of Ife through his comedy exploits and has known his Imperial Majesty before Kabiyesi ascended the throne of his fore bearers and acknowledge the brotherly relationship between the Ooni and Baba Ijesha Ambassador Olarenwaju Omiyinka.

It is worthy of note that many programs and humanitarian concert hosted in the palace at Ile-Ife by the Oonrisa Oba Ogunwusi has Baba Ijesha as the M.C in most of this programs Baba Ijesha does this without collecting a dime we acknowledge this.

How then will the same man go to beg for money from the Ooni Adeyeye his brother will like to add that Mr. Olarenwaju Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha got the Trophy advert while compering one of the Ooni’s program at the palace that the marketing manager of international brewery saw him perform and invited him over for discussion to help advertise the brand known as Trophy and he made a greater impact on the brand through his exploits in the adverts. The Ooni calls him whenever he wants and he responds to the Royal calling of his father the Ooni.

On the allegation of non performance in the MECFOT HOMES & PROPERTIES. It is more of disagreement over monetary aspects of the contract, right from when he made his grand entry in the Yoruba comedy genre with his superlative performances which are lased with laughter that hallmark of a good comedian is to make people laugh.

Lanre Omiyinka (Baba Ijesha) with over 45 films, several programs on radio and television is acknowledge as the most versatile comedian and the best in this time. How them can he (Baba Ijesha) be accused of non performance in a field where he has carved a niche for himself.  Lanre Omiyinka (Baba Ijesha) and MECFOT Property adverts Contract is more of disagreement over contract money payment, with the ARTIST Mr. Lanre Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha telling them (MECFOT PROPERTY LTD) how much he is going to collect as fees for his appearance in the adverts and the company telling him how much they can afford which does not meet up to his expectation.

Seeing that the agreement didn’t work he ( Lanre Omiyinka) wrote them a letter where he said he ( Lanre Omiyinka ) cannot continue with the contract based on the fact that what is been offered as contract fees was not acceptable to him. The cancellation was peacefully done with the promise of still working together by the two parties, another lesser known artist went there ( Merfot Properties) and collected whatever lesser fees he was offered then the wicked lies against Baba Ijesha started.

Hope Efoghe and Blessing Okafor, Nigeria films.com should note in their campaign of  calumny that the management of the company still gave him an M.C job,  if he was accused  of non performance would he be giving such work by the same company and its directors, who swore with the name of God Almighty that they knew nothing about the wicked article which we understand as an attempt to tarnish the good will, admiration, and superlative career of Mr. Lanre Omiyinka which has enjoyed no controversy except the wicked campaign of calumny we urge Hope Efoghe and Blessing Okafor, Nigerian films.com  to always balance their report by giving fair hearing to the other side instead of publishing  falsehood.