The sound and light show at the Shanti Stupa at Dhauli Giri in Odisha is must-see, says SHAlINI SAKSENA who was recently in the State for the inaugural of the Asian Athletics Championships
Sound and light shows are a treat to watch not because they have a story to tell but the way they tell it. Bringing that era alive using a beautiful backdrop only enhances the viewing. The same is true for the Shanti Stupa show at Dhauli Giri in Bhubaneswar.
Those who have had the opportunity to visit this beautiful and lush green State would have had seen the show and how the technicians bring Ashoka’s Kalinga War to life. Those who have not, need to visit it even if it is to just see this brilliantly played out show that uses the stupa to bring the story alive.
Of course, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation has chosen a beautiful site to tell the story that made Samrat Ashok finally walk the path of Buddhism and spread Buddha’s teachings and his transformation from Chandashok to Dharmashok. The show which has been made at a cost of approximately Rs 6 crore has been designed by OTDC in association with ITDC and is considered as the costliest project by the tourism department in Odisha.
The pristine white stupa is perfect canvas to tell Ashoka’s story which begins with how despite being the younger son of Bindusara — he was favoured over Susima, Bindusara’s eldest son who was next in line to the throne.
Since there have been TV serials on the man, there is nothing much that we don’t know about the Ashoka, the man behind the king but using a combination of sounds, lasers and paintings, the story unfolds and mesmersing you.
The show that was first aired in August 2015 has since then attracted many, including locals. The 35-minute show uses 3-D projection mapping technology designed by experts Himanshu Singh Sabharwal and Ross Aston of Projection Studio, UK. The graphics uses the peace pagoda to tell the story using Om Puri’s voice for narration in Hindi, Kabir Bedi for English and Bijay Mohanty for Odiya. This narration has been given a life by famous Russian artist Maria Rud who was given the brief of the show because she was renowned for designs, animations and paintings.
Using bold colours, Rud has definitely done a commendable job to tell this story. With each narration, her strokes — she uses her fingers — on the pagoda are beautiful and hold you spellbound by its sheer creativity.
The way one painting gives way to another, the way sounds and lights play out with each other and the way each of these elements move together and make way for others to follow is awesome. But then this is where technology comes in handy and Sabharvala and Aston have done a great job of the blending.
The show plays out from Tuesday to Sunday with Tuesday to
Thursday in Odiya. Friday to Sunday in English from 7:35 pm onwards. The Hindi version is on everyday from 7 pm. There is no show on a Monday. The good part is that the tickets are not expensive — Rs 25 for an adult and Rs 10 for a child.
Next time you are in Bhubaneshwar, do take time out for an experience where history comes to life.