THE MAKING OF MEENA

The Meena Communication Initiative lays great emphasis on formative research. The research process has been designed to include and involve the respondents themselves as partners in the creation of the films. Once a topic has been identified, the researchers go to communities to find out the target audience's perception and experiences, and to learn what solutions they believe are realistic and possible.

Formative research on the pilot episode involved the search for the image of Meena, her family and her village environment.

This research process was also used to define the character traits of Meena and her family.

Likewise, much thought and time went into creating Meena's environment, which needed to cover a region with mountains and plains, deserts and fertile green fields.

A cast was identified to play the roles of characters from Meena's family and communities. These characters, too, have been carefully researched.

In the first few episodes, formative research was conducted in a wide number of communities in the four participating countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, involving up to 200 focus groups and 50 interviews for each episode.

Meena was chosen as the central character's name because it is one that has no specific religious, cultural and regional affiliations.

The Meena stories do not provide any instant answers. Nor do they preach. They do not point an accusing finger at anyone.

Meena has been conceived as an instrument of change. The stories encourage people to think and introspect on matters that concern them.

The Meena stories don't attempt to bring about an overnight changes is expected to be gradual, and only when the community realizes that it is in its best interest to do so.

 

Children's Participation in creating Meena

The Meena Communications Initiative (MCI) came of age after years of research in South Asia. Over 10,000 children from urban and rural communities across this diverse and populous region identified the topics and shaped the stories for the Meena series.

The research approach for MCI was such that it made the respondents- children and adults- participants in the creation of the stories.

Each of the 13 films was developed after extensive research with children and their parents in focus group discussions. This process enabled girls and boys and their parents to discuss their concerns from their own perspectives.

When Meena speaks, it is in these children's languages. When Meena dreams, it is the vision of their future. When Meena cries, it is a reflection of their pain and frustration.

Through Meena and her younger brother Raju, children all over India have been able to find a voice, to tell others about their lives and hopes. Often, when they finish watching the films, children return to their communities and families saying, “That was my story Too!” or “I am Meena!”