Kathmandu: Siddhartha was never described better before,” commented Uttam Poudel, a member of the audience after the performance of the musical ‘Siddhartha: Birth of A Dream,’ staged by ninth and tenth graders of Malpi International School. The play that lasted one and half hours began at 5 pm with the narrator describing the setting, background and Siddhartha’s upbringing. Not only was the narrative riveting but the poetic description reminded of Nobel Laureate Herman Hesse’s “Siddhartha”. Siddhartha who had a noble upbringing had little knowledge of the miseries that shadowed the world he lived in. “We all know that he was brought up as an heir to the throne but never explicitly told that he was also good at wrestling, archery, fencing and other martial arts,” said Poudel. The play portrayed him as only Siddhartha, a human being with a quest. “The performance is an appeal for peace. We also aim to raise funds for the Malpi Community Outreach programme which includes income generating schemes for women, adult education and strengthening 30 government schools locally by Malpi volunteers,” an organiser said. —HNS