Ernest Hemingway’s masterpiece in Kathakali

Kalamandalam Pradeep and Peesappilly Rajeevan during rehearsal of Old Man and the Sea. On the right is director Neeraj.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ernest Hemingway’s Nobel Prize-winning  The Old Man and the Sea will soon get a Kathakali version Shakespearean plays and, more recently, the Spanish classic Don Quixote by Cervantes, have been adapted into the art form, but this is possibly the first time a modern popular fiction is being given the Kathakali makeover.

Actor Kalamandalam Neeraj, who is directing and choreographing the play, says: “Kathakali is popular among sections of theatre lovers all over the world, but we would like to pitch it to a new audience interested in modern fiction. What we are trying to do is to translate the novel into the language of Kathakali. There won’t be any compromises —  the structure, costumes and dance movements called kalasams will strictly adhere to Kathakali structure and syntax,” says Neeraj.

According to Peesappilly Rajeevan, a Kathakali actor, plays the part of the Sea: “I believe one major difference between Indian and western theatre and dance is the aesthetic approach. Indian art forms give more importance to the face and the eyes whereas in the West, it’s mostly dialogues and physical body movements. We want to project the sathvika abhinaya aspect of Kathakali to a new younger international audience.”

Neeraj also wants to challenge or examine the notion that Kathakali is a “perfect” art form and should not be meddled with. “Kathakali emerged from elements of Koodiyattam, Padayani, and the like, but it seems to be stuck in its so-called perfection. We want to explore how the abstract ideas of a modern literary work can be expressed through the idiom of a classical artform such as Kathakali,” he explains.

“We see Kathakali as theatre and believe the viewer experience can be enhanced by using features unavailable when Kathakali was conceived of. Lighting, for example, has a lot of potential. We know how it enhances the experience in modern theatre, and want to explore that,” adds Neeraj.

However, there are challenges that may need innovative solutions. Though descriptions of mountains and forests and oceans are common on Kathakali stage, a Sea appearing as a character has no parallel. Presenting such an inanimate object as a character will need imagination and deciding on a costume will need innovation. Because, in Kathakali, the costume and make up are dictated by the nature of the character —  pacha, kathi, thadi and minukku  classify characters as noble hero, the anti-hero, the villain and the female/ascetic, respectively.

Mario Barzaghi from Italy, who plays Santiago, as Parasurama in an earlier production
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Another interesting point will be the writing style. While Hemingway is known for his concise and realistic use of language, devoid of adjectives, Kathakali’s lyrics are usually flowery and descriptive.

The author of the play Mohandas Romanta said they started with the idea of a solo stage performance of Santiago. “Later, we felt the whole play could fit into the technical or grammatical aspects of Kathakali. So, we added characters to establish the richness of the sea. We added four killer sharks too.”

TheOld Man and the Sea has just four major characters — Santiago the old man, the boy Manolin, the Sea and a giant marlin. While Mario Barzaghi from Italy will play Santiago, Peesappilly Rajeevan will play the Sea. Students from Kerala Kalamandalam will take up  other supporting roles. Including vocals and percussion, the production may feature 20 artistes.

Mario, actor and director of Teatro dell’ Albero in Milan, has learnt Kathakali from various gurus at the Kerala Kalamandalam and had his debut performance in 1985. Mario has worked in several projects aimed at fostering artistic dialogue between the East and the West.

Peesappilly Rajeevan is known for innovative interpretations even in the epic characters of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. He also dabbles in contemporary theatre. Neeraj, who is the choreographer, is a lecturer at Kerala Kalamandalam. His earlier production was Koormapuranam, an adaptation of the fable of the rabbit and the hare.