Ekatha to Stage English Fantasy Thriller Maya at Museum Theatre in Egmore
Theatre group Ekatha is set to stage its latest English-language production, 'Maya', at the Museum Theatre in Egmore on September 13. Directed by KP Rajeev, the fantasy thriller explores traditional Kerala folklore, sacred grove rituals, and snake worship. The performance will run from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
The plot follows a young professor who is brought by a woman named Anjali to an ancestral home in Kerala for a snake worship festival. While the professor visits to research local folk culture and rituals, he instead encounters the spirit of Anjali's deceased cousin, Maya, who lingers beneath the shade of a sacred grove seeking to uncover the truth behind her death. The production weaves together elements of romance, crime, myth, and superstition as the professor investigates her fate.
According to Rajeev, the initial spark for the narrative came from Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's short story 'Neelavelicham', which previously served as the basis for the feature films 'Bhargavi Nilayam' in 1964 and 'Neelavelicham' in 2023. Rajeev noted that while the production draws from the premise of a spirit sharing its story, 'Maya' is an original work designed as entertainment featuring mystery and fantasy rather than a direct adaptation.
The physical setting of the production centres on the world of the nagakaavu, or sacred snake groves. The narrative incorporates the rituals and musical traditions of the Pulluva community, who serve as the traditional custodians of the groves in Kerala. The performance reflects elements such as the Pulluvan paattu, accompanied by traditional instruments including the Pulluvan kudam and the Pulluvan veena, as well as the creation of the kalam, an intricate drawing of a serpent made using organic materials.
On stage, the production incorporates enactments of the kalam alongside digital backdrops and elaborate sets, including depictions of the Nagam Thullal trance dance. Rajeev explained that the script examines the kaavu from multiple viewpoints, addressing the scientific and ecological reasons for preserving the groves as well as the superstitions and mythologies maintained by believers.
The cast features both professional and amateur performers, bringing together Tamil and Malayalam actors who perform in simple English dialogue. Proceeds from the ticketed performance will go towards supporting Mission 100 by Shanthi Bhavan, a care home operating in Redhills that has provided free shelter, food, and elder care since 1988, to help expand its resident capacity from 50 to 100.
