Historical Play
Poetic Drama
Musical
Subject:
Legend
Love
Death
Mythology

Text in:

he

In a small Bedouin village during a time when marriage was a family affair, two teenagers fall madly in love.

Qais, a gangly and enlightened boy, is a migrant from the city, seeking his place in the rough rural society.

Layla, a brave and strong-willed girl, submits to an arranged marriage forced upon her to help her family with financial difficulties. One day, when bullies harass Qais and throw him into a river, Layla jumps into the water to save him, and there in the depths, they bond. It is a pure, exciting, and wondrous young love, the kind that belongs to children. The young couple gathers courage and plans to run away, but they are caught, and the old order is restored. Layla marries a cattle merchant and becomes his servant. Qais stubbornly refuses to accept this fate and, with his limited strength, tries to reach his beloved but repeatedly realizes that he is not strong enough to save her and fulfill their love. Heartbroken, he finds no reason to live. His mind unravels, and he turns into a howling jackal. Everyone watches his madness and calls him “Majnun” (the madman).

Young Layla fights for her life, trapped, beaten, and humiliated. Qais, powerless, knows her situation but cannot help her. Broken and tortured, he embarks on a journey into the desert, deep into nature. Both struggle to survive, far from each other and suffering, on the brink of being lost forever. At that moment, when the desert separates them, when nothing remains but despair, they meet again through music, and their lives are forever changed.

*About the Mythology:*

Majnun Layla is an ancient story that likely describes a tragic event that took place in the 7th century, referring to the love journey of two young people—Qais and Layla. When this love remains unfulfilled, Qais flees to the desert and loses his mind, becoming “Majnun.” In 1192, the Persian poet Nizami composed a long poem that delves deeply into the story, turning it into living poetry. Nizami’s work gained fame and had a significant influence on many creators throughout history. “Majnun Layla” has been adapted into various versions in a wide range of artistic genres and across many parts of the world, particularly in Arab countries and the East. The renowned playwright and poet Ahmed Shawqi turned it into a famous play. It was adapted into a successful Indian film, a contemporary Turkish series, and even Eric Clapton’s song “Layla” was inspired by it. The mythology is perceived as a spiritual journey depicting the love relationship between a person and their God.