What happens when one of the world’s great ancient epics becomes a contemporary musical—and a concept record?

On this episode of NEW@NAMT, host Jean-Paul Yovanoff and co-host Skye Cone Ivey sit down with writer Manik Choksi to talk about The Ramayan, his new musical adaptation of India’s treasured ancient epic and one of eight musicals selected for NAMT’s 38th Annual Festival of New Musicals.

Manik shares what first drew him to The Ramayan as a child, why he wants to bring the story into the “Temple of American Myths,” and how he found a theatrical language for the epic through the idea of a live concert and concept record. The conversation also digs into a deeply personal writing process—from songs written during his daughter’s naps and pre-dawn hours to the way family conversations have continued to shape his understanding of the story.

They’re joined by NAMT Festival Consultants Sonia Desai and Tad Fujioka, who talk about why The Ramayan stood out during the Festival selection process and what they see in its future. Manik also looks back on the musical’s development with Ars Nova and Clubbed Thumb and ahead to what audiences can expect when The Ramayan arrives at the NAMT Festival this October.

A familiar epic for billions of people. A new musical for American stages.

The Ramayan
Book, Music & Lyrics by Manik Choksi

Learn more about the 38th Annual Festival of New Musicals, October 22–23, 2026 at New World Stages, at namt.org/festival.

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More about THE RAMAYAN:

https://namt.org/musicals/the-ramayan/

Follow Manik:

https://www.instagram.com/manikchoksi/