Kathakali’s origin and growth have been deeply influenced by older ritual and performance traditions such as Kutiyattam, Theyyam, Padayani, and Thirra. While modern art forms actively adopt and adapt elements from Kathakali to enrich themselves, Kathakali has largely remained conservative, a stance that can hinder the development and even the survival of any art form. Defined as a “dance drama,” Kathakali has traditionally avoided innovations in performance space, stage design, and lighting, reflecting a reluctance to move beyond the proscenium stage. The Kathakali adaptation of The Old Man and the Sea propose a significant shift by redefining the performance space through a dual-stage arrangement connected by a central passage amidst the audience, supported by multiple orchestral units and specialized lighting. This experiment seeks to integrate modern theatrical techniques while preserving the core principles of traditional Kathakali.

Writers:

Mohan Das Romanta is a playwright, sculptor, teacher, and poet deeply engaged in grassroots movement advocating for social justice and environmental protection.

Aneesh Sankar is an actor, writer, amateur architect, painter, poet, and director who has been working as part of the Little Earth School of Theatre, Kerala. He has trained in Kathakali, Chutti, Chakyarkoothu, and Ottanthullal.

Director:

Kalamandalam Neeraj began his formal Kathakali training at the age of twelve at Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University in 2000 under Kalamandalam Shanmughan Asan and later trained with eminent gurus including Kalamandalam Ramadas Asan, Surya Narayanan Asan, MPS Asan, and Kalamandalam Balasubrahmanian Asan. He excels in all major Kathakali roles such as ‘Pachcha,’ ‘Kathi,’ ‘Thatti,’ ‘Kari,’ and ‘Minukku,’ earning wide appreciation and numerous awards from Kathakali institutions across Kerala. He trains institutions for state-level competitions and conducts performances and lecture-demonstrations across India and abroad. Currently, he serves as a Second Grade Instructor at Kerala Kalamandalam. His notable contributions include choreographing new ‘Aattakathas,’ dance dramas, and interdisciplinary productions, collaborating with contemporary artists and institutions. A Doordarshan B-High grade artist, he has also published scholarly papers and contributed chapters to edited volumes on Kathakali aesthetics and evolution.

Director’s Note

We firmly believe and have confidence in creating a wide and enthusiastic new generation of Kathakali viewers and aficionados across the world. The major challenges we foresee in this is in strictly sticking on to the traditional aspects of Kathakali on the one hand and adopting excellent modern theatre concepts. Kathakali, as an art presents stories of mythological royal heroes and heroines only. There is no ‘attakkatha’ (Kathakali script) so far, that deals with the life and struggles of a layman. You can watch on stage, a powerful king or knight setting his royal chariot and getting ready for a fight, but never an old fisherman going to the deep sea for fishing or a common farmer working on his farm. This change in approach is the main objective of The Old Man and the Sea in improving the grammar of Kathakali so that a fresh batch of audience is attracted towards this classic art.

Group:

Kerala Kalamandalam is a renowned centre for classical Indian performing arts, located in Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur district, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1930 by the celebrated poet Vallathol Narayana Menon and Mukunda Raja, with the aim of preserving and promoting Kerala’s traditional art forms.