The vision of an enlightened soul

Shunyata translated in English means emptiness. Based on the philosophy of Shakyamuni Gautam Buddha, Buddhism conceptualises Shunyata as the principle concept of nothingness. 

To essay this philosophy of Gautam Buddha on the stage, Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan, teamed up with the Grammy Award winners - the Buddhist monks of the Sherabling Monastic Seat to present the music and dance production, Shunyata. The two-hour show was staged in the Capital at Kamani Auditorium, on 30 September. 

The event was graced by the presence of Murli Manohar Joshi, MP of Kanpur, Meira Kumar, ?Former Speaker of? LS,? Salman Khurshid, Cabinet Minister of MEA and many other dignitaries. 

Shunyata was an amalgation of dance traditions of Kathak and the ritual arts of Vajrayana Buddhism. Interlaced with meditation and abhiyana, the entire cast of the show essayed some of the chapters of Lord Buddha’s life in four different parts. 

It reflected Lord Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment and how he revised life of millions of his followers. The life-changing experiences of King Ashoka and other disciples of Buddha - Kisa and Sujata were demonstrated in the performances. 

The act took through the experiences of King Ashoka after the war of Kalinga. How Ashoka slowly removes the veils of arrogance standing amidst a sea of corpses was beautifully depicted in the act. The next episode told the story of Kisa, who did not accept the death of her child and becomes a demented woman. The final episode was of Sujata, who had fed kheer to Buddha and became his first disciple. Each of these experiences essayed the time immemorial quest and fears that each person goes through and for which answers have to be found by each within him or herself. 

The programme also featured a recitation of poetry on Prayer Flag by Sudeep Sen.