Tag: magical realism

Events in Goa

Step Into the World of Magical Realism: The Legends of Khasak to Enchant SAF 2025

allycaralgoa

Panaji, November 2025: December in Goa is set to bloom with art, performance, and cultural brilliance as the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) celebrates its landmark 10th edition from December 12–21, 2025. Spread across more than 300,000 square feet of heritage-rich venues, SAF will showcase a decade of artistic innovation through visual arts, theatre, music, design, craft, photography, culinary arts and more.

One of the festival’s most anticipated highlights is the arrival of the celebrated Malayalam immersive play, The Legends of Khasak, which will run from December 17–20 at 6:30 PM at the SAG Ground, Panaji.

A Landmark Work of Magical Realism

Curated by Anuradha Kapur for the performing arts vertical, the play is based on OV Vijayan’s legendary novel Khasakkinte Itihasam. The adaptation brings to life a young man’s journey into a remote Kerala village as he confronts his past and becomes entangled with the region’s spirits, myths, and living memories.

Running for approximately 200 minutes, the play dissolves the boundaries between the real and the mystical, inviting audiences into an emotionally rich, reflective universe.

An Immersive Sensory Experience

Festival Director Smriti Rajgarhia describes the production as an atmospheric dreamscape.
Performed in an open-air riverside arena, the play uses fire, water, soil, scent, fog, puppetry, masks, and Kerala’s traditional folk arts such as Theyyam to create an eco-theatrical spectacle.
The experience is not just visual—it’s elemental, philosophical, and deeply visceral.

A Powerful Artistic Collaboration

The ambitious production brings together acclaimed theatre artistes including:

  • PC Gopala Krishnan
  • KV Krishnan Mash
  • P. Baskaran Master
  • Kumar Pariyacheri
  • CK Sudheer

Directed by Deepan Sivarman—who also helms dramaturgy and scenography—the performance is complemented by the soulful musical compositions of Chandran Veyyattummal.

Viewers’ Advisory

Some scenes contain ritualistic and intense content, and viewer discretion is advised for very young audiences.

Registrations Now Open

SAF 2025 is a ticketed festival, open to all age groups.
Passes, tickets, workshop details, and performance schedules are now live.

👉 Register here: https://www.serendipityartsfestival.com/register

Celebrate 10 Years of Creativity

Join the celebrations in Panjim, Goa, from December 12–21 and witness the festival that continues to reshape South Asia’s cultural landscape.

Events in Goa

The Legends of Khasak: A Spellbinding Journey into Magical Realism at Serendipity Arts Festival 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

This December, Goa’s riverfront city of Panjim will come alive as the Serendipity Arts Festival celebrates its tenth milestone edition from December 12 to 21, 2025. Among the highlights of this year’s festival is The Legends of Khasak, an immersive Malayalam-language theatrical production that promises to transport audiences into a world of magical realism.

Curated by renowned theatre scholar Anuradha Kapur and directed by celebrated Kerala-based theatre director Deepan Sivaraman, the play is an adaptation of O.V. Vijayan’s groundbreaking novel Khasakkinte Itihasam (The Legends of Khasak). It will debut in Goa for the first time with performances scheduled from December 17 to 20 at 6:30 PM at the Sports Authority of Goa ground.

Set against the backdrop of a riverside playground, The Legends of Khasak is designed as a sensorial and philosophical experience rather than a conventional stage play. The production blends fire, water, soil, scent, fog, and the vast open sky into its narrative, creating a powerful, immersive environment. Drawing from Kerala’s traditional art forms such as Theyyam, puppetry, and mask performance, the play unfolds the story of a young man who arrives in a remote Kerala village to teach, only to be drawn into its mythical, dreamlike landscape where reality and imagination intertwine.

According to Festival Director Smriti Rajgarhia, the open-air performance “unfolds like a dream, supported by a rich sensory experience.” It uses the natural elements of the environment as part of the storytelling, challenging the boundaries between theatre, ritual, and the viewer’s imagination.

The production features a stellar ensemble, including P.C. Gopala Krishnan, K.V. Krishnan Mash, P. Baskaran Master, Kumar Pariyacheri, and C.K. Sudheer, with music by Chandran Veyyattummal. Together, they create an atmosphere where folklore, philosophy, and emotion merge to form an unforgettable artistic journey.

Now in its tenth year, the Serendipity Arts Festival stands as one of South Asia’s largest multidisciplinary cultural events. The 2025 edition marks a decade of creativity, cultural exchange, and community engagement through visual arts, music, theatre, dance, design, photography, and culinary arts. Over 300,000 square feet of heritage venues across Panjim—from the Old GMC Complex to Kala Academy—will transform into spaces of imagination and collaboration.

Registrations for the festival are now open, inviting audiences from across the world to join this ten-day celebration of art, culture, and creative exploration.

Films

‘Genie, Make a Wish’ Casts a Spell, Becomes Netflix’s #1 International Series

Tanisha Cardozo

The Korean fantasy romance Genie, Make a Wish has quickly become a worldwide streaming sensation, officially claiming the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s non-English TV chart for the week ending October 12. With over 8 million views, the series has climbed from its debut at No. 5 to dominate the global rankings just days after its release on October 3.

This 12-episode Netflix original is the latest masterpiece from Kim Eun-sook, the legendary screenwriter behind classics such as Goblin, Descendants of the Sun, and Heirs. Genie, Make a Wish brings together beloved stars Bae Suzy and Kim Woo-bin, whose on-screen chemistry has captivated millions.

The story follows Ga-young, played by Bae Suzy, a woman grappling with antisocial personality disorder whose life changes forever when she accidentally awakens a mysterious genie—played by Kim Woo-bin—trapped for a thousand years beneath the desert sands of Dubai. In exchange for his freedom, the genie grants her three wishes, setting in motion a journey filled with enchantment, emotional tension, and unexpected self-discovery.

Originally directed by Lee Byeong-heon, known for Extreme Job and Chicken Nugget, the project was later taken over by Ahn Gil-ho, acclaimed for The Glory. This directorial switch brought a darker emotional tone and stronger psychological depth to the narrative, enhancing the fantasy elements with raw vulnerability.

Audiences and critics alike have praised the show for its stunning cinematography, layered storytelling, and the dream pairing of Suzy and Woo-bin. The show’s emotional resonance and bold take on magical realism have especially struck a chord with younger audiences navigating issues of identity, trauma, and destiny.

The global success of Genie, Make a Wish reaffirms the overwhelming power and appeal of Korean content on international streaming platforms. Its rise to the top of Netflix charts once again highlights how K-dramas continue to push narrative boundaries and capture hearts worldwide.