Soham Mehta's new play, Reincarnation, is a refreshing addition to the Houston theatre scene and a promising start for Shunya, a rIewly formed Houston based non-profit theatre troupe. Reincarnation is1he engaging story of five young Desis as they come of age. Mehta ably combines drama and comedy in his work, as well as neatly juxtaposes traditional westem theatre with classical Indian performance. That two such divergent styles have been successfully combined is, in itself, an impressive feat.

The narrative is a basic one with universal appeal. Aakash and Chandi are two twenty somethings in love in Austin, Texas. Aakash, who came to America when he was three, has just seen off the rest his family who are returning to India. Aakash is experiencing what is becoming an increasing phenomenon among young Indian':Americans: at heart, are they Indians or Americans? Or some new combination of the two? He cannot help feeling guilt over not joining his family as they return to India. On the other hand, he has grown up in America, as an American. How can he sever the innumerable roots that now firmly plant him in American soil? While his parents tempt him with enticing biodatas of women in India, his ever faithful Chandi does her best to out Indian Aakash and his pals by learning Indian cook- ing and the lyrics to all the best known filmy songs. Meanwhile, Aakash struggles to find his true dharma, the guiding rule of duty that defines his innermost self.

The cast, on the whole, are an engaging, likeable bunch. Guru Singh asVijay, the would be film maker who surreptitiously video tapes his proposal of marriage, repeatedly steals the show in its light-hearted moments. Richa Dubey as Neisha, the would be leading lady of Vijay's life, lights up the stage with her vivacious performance. Vikram Kanodia as Chetan, who has only been in the States for five years and longs to return home to India as soon as his family's finances are straightened out brings both vitality as Vijay's comic foil and balance as the devotee of yoga whose monologues during his diurnal exercises frames the entire production.
However, the dramatic heart and soul of play are Aakash and Chandi, and the performances of Asif Sayani and Radhika Dinavahi electrify the audience in the penultimate, climactic scene.

The ancient, classical dance form of Bharat Natyam provides a recurring counterpoint to the activity on the stage throughout the play. The living nature of the acting is balanced by the abstract nature of the dancing, and the dancer's moves and commentary both add a layer of complexity and bring about a dynamic equilibrium to the performance. Its inclusion in Reincamation is reminiscent of the use of the Chorus in ancient Greek drama. The two Bharat Natyamdancers, Arzan Gonda and Tanvi Nagarsheth, perform f1awlessly and beautifully, and it would be well worth the price of admission merely to see their dance. Also deserving mention are Manan Atit and Pauravi Shah as entertaining Raas dancers. Reincarnation is the maiden production of Shunya.

Shunya, as the play's program tells us, literally means zero, nothing, or emptiness in Sanskrit, and comes from the Buddhist concept of nothing as the ultimate goal of realization. Although not always called 'Shunya,’ the concept (or something near it) has also appeared in western literature, sometimes described as the 'pregnant void', the lack of being which counter-intuitively contains the potential of all things. And so hopefullyitis with this Shunya troupe, a young com- pany which carries with it the promise of bringing creative, intelligent Indian-oriented theatre to Houston. If they are able to repeat with more plays of Mr. Mehta's caliber, this should
be a promise fulfilled.

Reincarnation is now playing at the Bienvenue Theatre, 3722 Wash- ington Ave., two blocks west of Montrose (Studemont. The Bienvenue is a cozy theatre seating about 80, and play-goers are en- couraged to purchase tickets in advance for the discount. The Janu- ary 17 and 18 performances were sold out. Purchase online @ www:tickets2events.com, or call toll-free: 877-686-7576. Visit www.shunyatheatre.org for more information.