Carving a Niche within the Regional Contemporary Society as One Southeast Asia through Drama

Abstract—Drama mirrors life. Therefore, drama becomes not only an interesting topic to dwell on but more academic and scholarly. This paper looks into drama as it carves a niche within the regional contemporary society to effect one Southeast Asia. This study attempts to identify the selected dramas which express the identity of the contemporary society of Southeast Asia. Also, it determines the commonalities and differences of these dramas in the contexts of its themes, conflict, types, characters, language, and setting. Furthermore, it finds answer to how these dramas carve its niche in the contemporary society to overcome barriers between and among people of Southeast Asia and more importantly how these dramas demonstrate the potential to represent Southeast Asia of its place in the world emphasizing the historical, cultural, social, educational, religious, political, and economic environs. In the analysis of the paper, it was found that dramas selected expressed the identity of the contemporary Southeast Asia, there are shared commonalities and differences among the selected dramas of Southeast Asia. Thus, a move for one Southeast Asia can be deemed possible. Problems, issues, and perspectives presented in the Southeast Asian dramas help overcome barriers between and among its people. Therefore, a niche can be carved for Southeast Asian dramas distinctly its own; and the potential to represent Southeast Asia through its dramas is great as demonstrated by the influence of the Asian drama, religious and culture beliefs as well as other varied influences.

Index Terms—Drama, southeast Asia, theater, art.

W. J. Cabasaan Jr is with the Graduate School, Centro Escolar University, Philippines (e-mail: chunch20@yahoo.com).

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Cite: William J. Cabasaan Jr, "Carving a Niche within the Regional Contemporary Society as One Southeast Asia through Drama," International Journal of Culture and History vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 141-146, 2015.