St Xavier’s College in Mumbai to stage its first ever Malayalam play

“It is inspired by many lives in a quintessential Malayali family,” says Evlyn Giju, a third-year mass-communication and journalism student at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and the co-director of Osiyath-The Feast, the first Malayalam play to premiere at the college on December 11.

The play is set in a house in Kerala, where the family is mourning the passing of the matriarch. The play explores unwelcome discussions that emerge in the family. The mother’s loss brings her estranged children together, opening a Pandora’s box of dialogue “which should not be discussed at a house in such a situation,” alluding to the play’s title which means will in Malayalam.

Osiyath… began as a discussion between two roommates, Evlyn and Anitta Sara Daby, co-director and co-writer of the play, during the first year of college. “We were sure we either wanted to create a movie or a drama in English with this subject,” says Evlyn, also a co-writer and actor in the play.

“Last year, we had planned to present it at St Xavier’s flagship theatre event, Jashn-e-Fitoor, organised by the college’s official theatre society as a Malayalam play. But it did not happen. However, this year we got the go-ahead as soon as we pitched the idea to the theatre society. When we told our teachers, they asked, ‘Why didn’t you do this earlier with so many Malayalis around?’”

Evlyn points out some scenes are inspired by incidents she witnessed at her grandfather’s funeral. “My view of Kerala comes from an NRI’s perspective, when they visit the country once a year. When you return to a place that is still your home, you tend to observe way more than someone who stays there, as you are still searching for a connection,” says Evlyn, originally from Thrissur. “It was Anitta who helped me understand the cultural differences and nuances,” she adds.

The cast of Osiyath – The Feast
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“We have tried to emulate the conversation and props of a house in mourning on stage, which might not make sense to someone who is not a Malayali. For instance, at funerals, there is a ritual of covering the deceased person’s bed with a white bed sheet. Details like these made us discuss each scene and decide what we put on stage,” says Evlyn.

During the play’s trial run with the theatre society, which mostly consists of non-Malayalis, the team put up a comprehensible show, says Evyln. “We have designed the play in such a way that physical language is important. That is something we have worked on, allowing people to get the essence of the play.”

Staging Osiyath… came with its own challenges. Everyone in the 15-member cast is acting in a play for the first time. “It was quite a task for them to adapt to the theatre style of acting. There was so much perseverance from their side, and transforming them was a big challenge,” says Evlyn.

The writer duo also believes it is difficult to put pen to paper about something that is so personal. “It must be emotionally true, yet at the same time, be relatable to others. As an actor, there are some scenes which I can’t do many times, because they are emotionally intense and they require a lot of energy.”

Osiyath: The Feast will be staged on December 11 at 4pm at College Hall, St Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Tickets available on link in the bio of the Instagram handle @xaviers.fitoor