Dance for Peace: Retelling the episodes from the life of Gautam Buddha

Kathak exponent Shovana Narayan on a new production that retells episodes from the life of Gautam Buddha.

Shunyata is a production with which Delhi-based Kathak dancer Shovana Narayan has commented on the recent spate of conflicts across the world.

The river of blood is thick and flows slowly through a field of dead bodies in Kalinga as Emperor Ashoka comes to a terrible realisation: “What am I a ‘samrat’ of? Only flowing blood and grotesque corpses? I have won wars but have I won hearts?”

The pivotal moment when a dreaded warrior turns into a spiritual leader marks the beginning of Shunyata, a production with which Delhi-based Kathak dancer Shovana Narayan has commented on the recent spate of conflicts across the world. “The killers want the same thing Emperor Ashoka did — power and control. But what happens after they kill everyone?”she asks.

Shunyata, which will be staged at Kamani Auditorium tomorrow, grew from conversations into a collaborative venture with Buddhist monks of Palpung Sherabling Monastery in Bir, Himachal Pradesh. Two years ago, the monks had made news for winning a Grammy Award for their chants. Shunyata takes off from an earlier production, Sound of Emptiness and Harmony, which also used Buddhist chants and reflected on the role of ego in strife, post 9/11.

“We have to realise that swabhiman is good but ego is a human failing. The question is, ‘how do we check it?’” asks Narayan. The production begins with the Buddhist monks coming on stage, chanting, as an antithesis to the proud dancers who stand before them.

“After a dance of harmony, suddenly, the dancers come into their own as ego starts taking over. The goodness, represented by the monks, tries to assert itself but the ego is stronger and the monks get covered and leave the stage,” says Narayan, adding that “for the Kalinga scene, it seemed so natural to take four Chhau dancers with four Kathak dancers to play out the war.”

While Narayan’s student plays Ashoka, the dancer becomes the protagonist of the next episode. “She does not accept the death of her child and becomes a demented woman,” says Narayan. The final episode is of Sujata, considered Buddha’s first disciple as she, a woman from the village, would watch Buddha meditate through the days and leave offerings for him. “After Buddha attains enlightenment, he has kheer that Sujata offered, making her the first disciple,” says Narayan.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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