The Institute of Music and Drama
When Sudan's Institute of Music and Drama was begun by the civilian
government in 1969, dedicated teachers like El-Mahi Ismail,
its first director, helped provide college-level practical instruction
and research in music, drama and folklore for the first time in
Sudan. Despite funding and status wrangles, the Institute survived
until 1989, when the National Islamic Front regime took power
and it became a target for political demolition. A new director
began "Islamization" of the Institute: new, ideologically-approved
lecturers were brought in, and the talent test for admission was
replaced with an interview on religious attitudes.
See also section in Reports: Education and Art