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Shanti: A Journey of Peace is an expansive, collaborative theater production that explores the meanings and message of peace, joy
and the interconnectedness of us all through the dance, music and imagery. Created in a unique compositional genre pioneered by
Kanniks Kannikeswaran, Shanti features a choral symphonic presentation of Indian raagas rendered by an incredible combination of
the first of its kind Indian community choir along with singers from other western choirs, accompanied by
a 22 member strong
western chamber orchestra, an ensemble of Indian instruments, dances from several parts of India, powerful visuals - all tied
together by a gripping story line. Through a gripping presentation of chants and music, Shanti presents some ancient thoughts (that
are so strikingly modern) that expound the possibility of living in harmony with the universality of creation, embracing its
richness, plurality and diversity in all its splendor.
Sold out performances in Cincinnati: This acclaimed multi-media event - which premiered to a sold-out audience on May 1, 2004 at
the University of Cincinnatis Great Hall - was recreated at the Aronoff Center's Procter & Gamble Hall with a 150 member community
choir from the Greater Cincinnati Indian Community Choir, St. John's Universalist Church Choir and Martin Luther King Coalition
Choir; a Western chamber orchestra and an ensemble of Indian instruments and authentic Indian dancers. Shanti was performed to an
audience of about 2500 at the packed Aronoff Center for the Arts - Cincinnati to a standing ovation.
Building community around music: Shanti built community around music in Cincinnati as singers from diverse ethnic and professional
backgrounds got together to work hand in hand, side by side to learn and sing the music of Shanti.
Lehigh Valley performance in 2006 :The magic of Shanti
was re-created in the Lehigh valley, with over 80 singers of Indian origin
converging at Lehigh University to rehearse the music of Shanti. These singers
came in from as far as Edison NJ. Joining these
singers in performance were be a group of singers from local choirs in the Lehigh Valley along with guest performers
from the Martin Luther King Coalition Choir, Cincinnati and an orchestra of western instrumentalists and an ensemble of Indian
instruments.
Upcoming performance in the Lehigh valley
area : The magic of Shanti will be re-created again in
October 2008, this time in support of the Arsha Vidya Gurukulam,
Saylorsburg PA.
Highlights
 A 100+
member community choir and
an orchestral ensemble.
An acclaimed music score composed and arranged by Kanniks Kannikeswaran - cutting across
two vastly different musical traditions, integrating choral and orchestral harmony with the ancient raaga traditions of India.
Spectacular imagery, classical and folk dance choreography tied together by a gripping narrative
depicting the 5000 year old cultural history of India.
Vision
This project is a pioneering effort in:
Creating choral music based on the raaga traditions of India.
Building a community choir utilizing the diverse musical talents of the Indian (American) diaspora
Creating a stage where ancient Indian music traditions interact with Western music traditions in a
performance setting
Creating an awareness about the history of Eastern traditions, and their relevance to modern society
and
Building community through world-music.
Performers
Singers from the Lehigh valley Indian community and the surrounding areas
Guest singers from the Martin Luther King Coalition Chorale - Cincinnati
Accompanied by a chamber orchestra and accomplished soloists and dancers from the area
Sponsors:
A grant from the Ohio Arts Council helped Kanniks Kannikeswaran
create this new work Shanti in 2004. Support from the Fine Arts
Fund and corporate sponsorship (Carx, Vora Ventures and the
College Conservatory of Music - University of Cincinnati) helped
in the grand performance at the Aronoff Center. The Lehigh
valley performance in 2006 was supported by Motorola, Air
Products and other local businesses.
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