Sun Feb 16 15:00:25 UTC 2025: **Kerala Kalamandalam Stages Innovative Kathakali Adaptation of “The Old Man and the Sea”**
THRISSUR, Kerala (February 16, 2025) – Kerala Kalamandalam recently hosted a groundbreaking performance: a Kathakali adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s *The Old Man and the Sea*. This unique production blended traditional Kathakali techniques with modern theatrical elements, creating what the director, Kalamandalam Neeraj, called “the morrow of Kathakali.”
The performance saw a departure from the traditional proscenium stage. Instead, the audience was seated on either side of a spacious passage that served as the stage, actively involving them in the narrative. Innovative lighting and expanded performance space were also incorporated.
The lead role of Santiago was played by renowned Italian theatrician and Kathakali expert Mario Berzaghi, director-cum-actor of the ‘Teatro dell Albero’ theatre group. The sea was portrayed by Peesappilly Rajeevan, while other supporting roles were undertaken by Kerala Kalamandalam students. The production, featuring approximately 20 artists including vocalists and percussionists, creatively adapted the novel’s dramatic elements to the Kathakali style, while remaining faithful to its core principles.
Neeraj emphasized the goal of expanding Kathakali’s appeal beyond a select audience. The team cited the novel’s powerful themes and global recognition as inspiration for this ambitious undertaking. The innovative staging and unique interpretation of the classic story are expected to spark conversation and potentially redefine the boundaries of this ancient art form.
First Piper 