Keep those creative works safely

It is said the bedrock of any nation or a people lies on how deep and rich their culture is.

Though mostly neglected, indulgences such as music, cultural dances, language, dressing and visual art works have widely been deployed to define who particular societies are, their history and the values they represent.

The preservation of the aforementioned can therefore not be played down. Those articles are the medium through which stories are told from generation to generation. They are the currency through which nations have used a base to build their economies.

But the preservation of such works is one we seem to be doing badly here as a people and nation. Whether we don’t attach too much importance to such creations or we don’t have the capacity and sophistication to underpin the required value to that is a debate we should have.

I have had the chance to interact with a number of creatives, including musicians, the picture I get from them in as far preserving their work is concerned is one that is heartbreaking to say the least.

We have artists who can’t trace the music they released a decade ago. They don’t even have a copy of the albums which helped build their names. It is even unfortunate that they don’t have anywhere they can go to ask for such.

If there is one trade which is demanding then it is the creative work. For an individual to come up with a concept and develop it into something that people like and admire, it is something worth praise and self-pride.

It beats me that after investing all that effort in both intellect and finances, some people choose to let go of their work just like that. Such creations are one an individual need to keep forever, not just as a personal win, but also a point of reference.

Art does not come from nowhere. It is influenced by the happenings around us. Therefore, every creation is relatable to the developments happening in a certain environment, reflecting the political tide or social leanings of that time.

The stories that are told by these creations have lessons. Stories that will surely be useful to the generations coming. If we let all this go to waste then we are doing great injustice to the future generation.

This week there was some news which brought relief in that aspect. With help from the Sound ConnectsFund and the Malawi Digital Archive project, the Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) has embarked on a project to digitise copyright works that are domiciled in their library.

According to Cosoma, 193 000 works are expected to be digitised in the first phase of the project which stands to benefit 10 000 local artists. Those who have been given priority are the ones whose work was on the verge of facing irreversible damage.

The works which will be digitised include music, movies, paintings and books. Now that is encouraging news and the way to go.

But wait a minute! If this will be taken as a task for the society alone then we are not doing ourselves any justice. In this era of numerous technological breakthroughs, each can have a backup and library of his own.

We should show a sense of ownership and pride in the things that bear our signature. If we can’t preserve that film, that song and that drawing, then who will do it for us? Every time we come up with a creative work, we should regard it as our last contribution to mother earth.

There are people out there who would give everything to have the gift of singing, acting or drawing but they can’t. If you don’t show pride in that talent, then consider yourself a mis-carrier of nature and godly gifts.