For all those who have been wondering how a stage adaptation of O.V. Vijayan's Khasakinte Ithihasam (The legends of Khasak), would look like, here is a chance to test the aesthetic and critic within you.
Deepan Sivaraman's theatrical adaptation of the work, which has stirred up the sensibility of Malayalam readers like no other work has done, will be staged at Kodungallur Boys' High School ground on April 1, 2 and 3.
The play by KMK Smaraka Kalasamithi was performed at the International Theatre Festival of Kerala (ITFoK) in January and had received appreciation from connoisseurs.
The staging at Kodungallur is organised by Kodungallur Film Society and Behadur Memorial Trust.
The play which is the end result of months-long efforts is an attempt to re-read the text through the looking glass of the current times. In Deepan's own words, "theatre is a hybrid form which is a blend of painting, architecture, sculpture, literature, film, music, dance and puppetry. Theatre is not about understanding a story but making it an experience."
The organisers of the play said "at a time when Islamophobea and political Islam are trying to make Muslim societies a homogeneous form, this work of art speaks up to the Malayali society that a different style of Muslim life was possible".
The organisers said they decided to set stage for the play in Muziris realising that they had a commitment to honour the relevance of the play and practical difficulties of the artists.
Apart from the Kodungallur Film Society and Behadur Smarakka Trust, the play will be staged as part of a collaborative effort of Kochi Biennale Foundation, State Bank of Travancore and Pappinivattom Service Cooperative Bank among others. In a unique way, street art and social media were widely used for the publicity.
While a number of artists drew the scenes in the novel on the walls of Kodungalloor, Irinjalakuda, North Paravur and Mala, noted artists including Bara Bhaskaran, K.G. Babu and Premji donated their paintings to the organisers to find fund for the staging of the play. D. Manoj conducted his photo exhibition on Khasak for free while Vipin Das pedalled his bicycle through the villages of Kodungallur as Naizamali, a character in the novel/play.
Schedule of staging
At 5.30 pm on April 1
6.30 pm on April 2
6.30 pm on April 3.
Tickets could be booked online via www.kodungallurfilmsociety.org. For details, contact: 9946786210, 8907606000
