Vyākrita, Under the Sacred Tree

Group Dance: 90 minutes

“Vyākrita: Under the Sacred Tree” unfolds the wisdom of the Buddha. This Bharatanatyam ballet features music specially composed in both Hindustani (by Nachiketa Yakkundi) and Carnatic (by Asha Ramesh) styles.

Vyākrita enthralls the senses through beautiful song, dance, drama, and shadow puppetry, while illuminating minds through Buddhist teachings. The journey of the Bodhisatta (seeker of enlightenment, a principle represented in each of us) is illustrated through his many lives. As a baby quail, he spread loving kindness; as a monkey, he combined fearlessness and foresight; and as a student, he stood with his resolve to remain truthful. These birth stories were told by the Gautama Buddha when teaching his disciples the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths.