The Old Man and the Sea – Kathakali of Morrow

The Old Man and the Sea – Kathakali of Morrow is an experimental theatrical adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s celebrated novella The Old Man and the Sea. The production retells the story of Santiago, an ageing Cuban fisherman who ventures into the Atlantic after 84 days without a catch and hooks a giant marlin.

The narrative explores perseverance, dignity, solitude and the relationship between humanity and nature. Santiago’s struggle against the powerful fish becomes a reflection on endurance and the determination to face adversity, even when success remains uncertain.

The production reinterprets this universal story through Kathakali, Kerala’s traditional dance-drama form, while incorporating the dramatic and technical possibilities of modern theatre. By combining classical performance principles with an experimental staging approach, it creates an immersive theatrical experience that brings together traditional aesthetics and contemporary storytelling.

Event Details:

• Source story: Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea

• Performance tradition: Kathakali

• Languages: Malayalam and Sanskrit

• Duration: 80 minutes

Presented as part of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) Festival 2026, the performance offers audiences an opportunity to experience a world-renowned literary work through the expressive vocabulary of Indian traditional theatre.