Radio drama losing its lustre, says veteran actress Fauziah Nawi

PUTRAJAYA - Amid the vibrant production of telefilms, TV dramas, and films across various genres, from social themes to romance, radio drama seems to be losing its lustre.

Despite its unique charm-relying solely on vocal tones to convey stories without body language-radio drama's popularity does not reach the same heights as television dramas or films, leaving the medium "dull and fading.”

While some may attribute this decline to the absence of popular local actors in radio dramas, actress and theatre activist Datuk Fauziah Nawi strongly disagrees. She explains that radio dramas typically showcase experienced and talented actors.

Fauziah, affectionately known as ‘Ibu’ points out that today's radio dramas often feature well-known actors, including Datuk Rahim Razali, Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, Datuk Rosyam Nor, Khir Rahman, Vanidah Imran, Nabila Huda, and Darling Ngasri.

"People often question whether radio dramas are still relevant, especially considering they served as auditory entertainment for both the Malay community and people of various ethnicities in the 1970s, addressing social issues in a relaxed yet impactful manner," she said.

"I say yes, radio drama is absolutely still relevant, and I am determined to defend this heritage. It frustrates me to see people wanting it to fade away due to technology. Often, I am asked, ‘Is radio drama not as lively as it used to be?’ This question itself proves that radio drama still has its fans," said Fauziah, 71, to Bernama.

Expressing her disappointment over the current state of radio drama, the veteran actress, who has over 50 years of experience in the field, said it is unfair to deem radio drama irrelevant or unprofitable.

In today’s context, where the public remains closely connected to radio, Fauziah-who is also a former radio announcer, director, and one of Malaysia's top 10 all-time best-selling senior actors-believes radio’s influence can reignite the popularity of radio drama.

For instance, RTM radio broadcasts through social media reportedly set a new record earlier this year, reaching 34 million listeners in January, a substantial increase from 14 million in December of the previous year.

Meanwhile, private radio networks under Media Prima Audio (MPA) - including Hot FM, Buletin FM, Molek FM, Fly FM, and 8 FM - reported a rise in weekly listener averages last year, totaling 5.36 million across Peninsular Malaysia.

According to the award-winning veteran star, people today spend more time with the radio than with television or at the movies.

"Whether stuck in traffic or on public transport, radio becomes the preferred choice, and now it’s accessible through social media and mobile apps.

"Unlike in the past, when you needed the radio to listen, this is a prime opportunity to revitalise the radio drama phenomenon. Unfortunately, radio companies seem uninterested, despite radio drama’s vast potential," she noted.

The Ipoh-born actress pointed out that radio dramas typically broadcast only on special occasions-such as National Month, Malaysia Day, in memory of prominent figures, or Language Month-and are primarily kept alive by RTM radio alone.

Known for her deeply emotional roles, Fauziah hopes that radio drama broadcasts can be increased to at least twice a week. She also encourages newcomers in the industry to recognise the value of radio drama, as it can serve as a gateway to earning opportunities.

"The ability of radio drama to convey emotion through voice alone makes our talents highly sought after by advertising companies. Some of our commercials air on television, while others rely solely on our voices, with different actors portraying the visual roles," she said.

"Even so, the payment remains lucrative, as it’s based on the duration of voice usage. That’s why some actors, like Datuk M. Nasir’s wife, Datin Marlia Musa, though not active on television, are still sought after by advertising companies for their voice talent. This is why I believe radio drama can open doors to opportunities," she shared.

Encouraging newcomers to seek out and seize opportunities in radio drama, Fauziah, who won the Best Supporting Actress Award for Sayang Salmah at the 12th Malaysia Film Festival, emphasised that radio drama is a valuable platform for honing their interpretative and expressive acting skills.

"I don’t do this for awards but because I love the art. After more than 50 years in radio drama, I was finally honoured as Best Radio Drama Actor at the Seri Angkasa Awards 2024 (ASA 2024) last Saturday," she said.

Expressing her gratitude for the recognition, which she won for her role in Lima Beradik aired on Terengganu FM, Fauziah also voiced her hope that the relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Communications, would consider reinvigorating radio drama as part of preserving this precious heritage. - BERNAMA