Tsige Teclesenbet is a veteran artist who has made her contribution to the growth of acting and singing. She started her acting and singing career during the armed struggle, and she has been inspiring upcoming artists through her remarkable talent and mentoring. Admired for her comedies, she appeals to spectators of all ages. Her commitment to art has resulted in her lasting impact on young upcoming artists, including her daughter, Rahel.
Rahel is an astonishing young actress who is following in her mother’s footsteps. She studied Fine Arts at the College of Arts and Social Sciences in Adi Keih and Theatrical Arts at SMAP Institute. She has acted in thirty short and feature films, serials, and comedies.
Tsige, you haven’t been on the screen for a while.
Tsige: Yes, you are right. That’s because I have had health problems. But I am recovering and will soon return to the profession I love.
How would you define comedy, and what does it mean to you personally?
Tsige: When you first hear the word, it signifies something funny. But, for me, it is a way of transmitting essential messages to society in an amusing way.
Having been involved in art since the 1980s, have you ever tried a life without art?
Tsige: I did once and, believe me, it was unbearable.
What’s it like balancing your professional and personal life living under the same roof with your daughter?
Tsige: In addition to our ordinary life as mother and daughter, being in the same profession with my daughter has somehow influenced our relationship on a professional level. We have this relationship of coworkers sharing experiences, but almost all of our conversations and day-to-day activities are just hilarious.
Would you say that classical works are being produced?
Tsige: Well, anything you mismanage from the beginning goes away, but anything you manage well stays. I believe that a work of art needs to speak for itself, and that happens only when you have artists who can guarantee the production of quality work that takes a lot of time, dedication, and imagination to make. In the old days, every member of the crew worked and made decisions as a family, and that helped produce quality works. There was no obsession with being famous or making a lot of money. We loved our profession as much as we loved ourselves. And we still do!
Rahel: Though it might seem we have evolved to a point that we have not seen before, there is a pattern of similarity amongst most of our works. You can say that the production of films has become a race that we need to catch on fast. And this is because of the revenue we can get from social media, especially YouTube. Film makers are more interested in making money than worrying about the quality of the films. But development in the art of photography and editing alone is not enough. As Mom always says, “You have to understand the value of something based on the sacrifice you pay for it.’’ I believe that is what we young artists lack. Most of us, the young generation, do not make that many sacrifices for the profession. We tend to see art only as a source of income, and so no legendary work gets produced. Only a few get to fight and sacrifice. We should not forget that through a work of art we are communicating some message to the public and providing education.
What are the qualities of an exceptional artist?
Rahel: Regardless of how educated an artist is, if he or she lacks discipline, his or her work is worthless. An artist should put all his heart into the work for its quality and for the honor of the profession.
Tsige: I would call an artist who takes their career by discipline and consistency, as discipline is the key to success. The journey in art is like a college. Thus, an artist should be a conscious learner in society. Artists should give adequate time to their work to make timeless products instead of producing works just for the sake of popularity and financial benefits.
Did your mom influence your interest in becoming an actress? And is there anything else that motivates you to stay away from acting?
Rahel: She is why I wanted to be an actress in the first place, but she never urged me to do or be anything. I grew up as an independent and free-spirited child. As a child, I used to imitate my mom’s actions in different plays, sing loudly, and dance in front of everyone that came home to sort of entertain them. My mom noticed my inclination and enrolled me in a cultural troupe of our school when I was in fourth grade. Here I am, doing my best to contribute with what I have. I can say that it all has to do with what I saw and learned growing up. To answer the second question, yes, there is. I enjoy being a makeup artist. I even work on it outside my acting profession.
How has growing up with a legendary figure like your mother shaped your perspective on life and your pursuits?
Rahel: A privilege and an immense joy! Besides the motherly love she nurtured me with, I am lucky to be enrolled in an art school for free my whole life! She has always mentored me on how to be an authentic actress. And I am always grateful for that.
Can you tell us about the third member of your family who seems to be taking after her grandma and mom?
Rahel: Her name is Rahsi Mewael. She is four years old. She also seems to be a promising artist. She says, “When I grow up, I’ll include both of you [in my work].”
Tsige: Rahsi is my granddaughter. She is very active just like her mother and I were. She constantly moves around the house, either singing, acting, or something else that comes to her mind. She might also be an artist. But the final choice hers.
Finally, if you have anything that you would like to say …
Rahel: A society’s dignity is found in conserving its norms and values, not in mimicry. That is when we are liked and respected. The previous generation did their best to transmit this to us, and now it is up to us young people to preserve it in every possible way. We artists are the mirrors of our society. So, I suggest we work together to preserve what we have received.
Tsige: I mostly want to recommend that artists take care of what kind of grounds they are building for the coming generation. Let’s not lose our pride at the cost of meaningless prattle. It is time that we retrieve what is ours, not lose it. For instance, watching other people dance “Tewedeb,” a dance created in the Sahel, makes me feel uneasy. And I am concerned that Kebero (drum), one of our traditional instruments, seems to be disappearing.
Thank you.
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