Four centuries since the publication of Don quixotConsidered as the first modern novel in literature, theater director Aliyar Ali is ready to revive this classic story of an idealistic knight, Don Quixot, fighting the battle of a realistic world.
The Spanish novel written by Miguel de Servants in the 17th century has been adapted in a Malayalam drama, Nanmayil John Quixot. The city-based Theater Academy for Media and Performance (Theamp) will be staged at Thiruvananthapuram on 12 and 13 September in collaboration with a sportive theater space, athlete in Palakkad.
A still Nanmayil John Quixot
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Nanmayil John Quixot Aliyar’s deceased friend and visual artist, is a tribute to Midhun Murali. ,Don quixot Midhun was very inspired and wanted to imagine the lesson. We are animating some of his art work, which will be used in this play, ”says Aliyar.
Mihun died in 2023, was part of the athlete production knock outWhich detected the performance possibilities of boxing in the theater. It was adapted from Crape’s last tapeOne-Act Play written by Samuel Backet. Similarly, Nanmayil John QuixotLocated in contemporary Kerala, Kalaripayattu (an indigenous martial arts) uses as a narrative tool.
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Character arc
In 2017, the National School of Drama, Delhi, and Kerala Sangeet Nataka Academy, the Best Director Award winner, Aliyar emphasized that the team “wants a task that reminds people that it is a foreign text. Nanmayil … The original plot remains in line with, in which a trusted cultural reference has been made by tweeting the background of the story. ,
Theater director Aliyar Ali | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Through his work, the director, the hero explains John’s unaffected personality, arguing how he “believes that it is madness to let his dreams fight to fight a night battle”, while he fights, who fights romantic ideals about Raees. “When we look at great discoveries by scientists, we can feel some passion in them that inspire them for such conclusions. Even in history, revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh followed such ‘impractical ideas’ as a great reason,” they say.
Veteran theater artists, Saji Thulasidas, plays the role of John in this production, which premiered at the Government Victoria College in Palakkad in April, after one year of rehearsal camps in Nenmara, Palakkad. Among the 15-member artists, senior actor Dasan Kongad plays the role of Sancho Pachan in the novel, Don’s Sidekik Sancho Panja’s Aliyar.
Adopt a classic
“For someone who has read the lesson, the drama will feel the same due to uncontrolled plot points. For example, in the novel, they use a barber bowl to repeat a crown in a scene. Similarly, we use a coalander as a crown for John, which is given by the vessel seller, called,” ie.
A still Nanmayil John Quixot
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In the original text, the character is taken to the era of gratitude. It is brought into the play, as he travels to different parts of Kerala.
Aliyar says, “I see it as a political satire about someone who lost his mind after reading the bravery of the knights. His speed was for a world equality. We have used the word. AttenuationInstead of the nighthood provided by Lord’s and Kings. This situation is given by a Way and further in Kerala uses myths associated with Perumal Dynasty, ”Aliyar says.
A still Nanmayil John Quixot
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Uses in theater
“Kerala is promoting experimental theater in the country,” looks like an arena or, says aliyar about the performance place for the play or PotharaA multi-level platform, which is placed in a corner with Kalarypayattu weapons.
The artists include Shayju Gurukkal, “One of the first people in Asia, to use the dramatic possibilities of Kalaripayattu, among other physicians.”
He says, “Another interesting fact is that, in the poster, I am not a director; it is given an invisible character in the drama as Hameta Quixotali, which is not visible on the stage. Because of which we have done that Miguel himself said that he has translated the lesson from an Arabic writer. Just as we are near Ezothan. Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilipatu, A Malayalam Retailing of the original text Kilippattu (Bird Song) format. ,
The Music for the Play is an EDM track of a combination of folk, contemporary and fusion music by Naru Parai Christian. The artist Shanto Antony, known for frescoes painting, has designed the set.
Nanmayil will stage John Quixot, staging at 12 and 13 at 6.30 pm at John Quixot. Pass available at ₹ 200, Contact: 9496546902
Published – 04 September, 2025 11:00 AM IST
