South Asia Foundation (SAF), set up in 1991 at Varanasi, India and South Asia
Foundation- Nepal (SAF-N), set up in 2012 in Kathmandu, Nepal in partnership with the State-run Lumbini Development Trust, announced the launch of a state-of-the-art Son-et-Lumière (Light and Sound Project) on the life of Gautam Buddha at Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha on Friday, the May 05, 2023. The project was launched through the inauguration of the seminar on Son-et-Lumiere on the life of Gautam Buddha by Sh. Sudan Kirati, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation, Govt. of Nepal in the presence of the chief guest Sh. Madhav Kumar Nepal, Hon’ble former Prime Minister of Nepal. In addition to the launch of the project, a dedicated website www.lumbininepal.org was also released. The seminar was followed by various scholars’ presentations on May 06. Sh. Basant Bidari, former Chief Archaeologist. Lumbini Development Trust and well known scholar presented the keynote address Dr. Saw-Htut-Sandar and Dr. Nilima Chawhan presented the importance of Buddha’s messages to mankind.
The Son-et-Lumière project is a collaborative effort between the SAF, SAF-N, and the State run Lumbini Development Trust, with a shared goal of promoting Lumbini as a cultural and ancient heritage site. The Foundation believes that Gautam Buddha is the South Asian Face of global peace and human integrity and his teachings have strong relevance today more than ever before. This project will offer an immersive experience to visitors, allowing them to witness the life and teachings of Gautam Buddha in a unique and interactive way. The project will cover the magnificent journey of Siddhartha from his birth at Lumbini, to his transformation to Buddha. It will also cover his nirvana at Kushinagar, showcasing the teachings of Gautam Buddha to visitors through spectacular world class light and sound effects. Noted Indian filmmaker Sh. Shyam Benegal is designing the Son-et-Lumière project. It will be the first ever in Nepal and one-of-its-kind in the world.
Sh. Sunil Sakya, while welcoming the guests in the seminar, mentioned that the Son-et-Lumiere project was conceptualized by the people of Lumbini and that it will be the first of its kind in Nepal. He sought everyone’s support for the project and emphasized the revenue-generating potential of the project for Nepal.
Ven. Bhante Bhikku Metteya, the vice chairperson of LDT, spoke of the need of the project so that the number of visitors to Lumbini is expected to increase in the future. To sustain visitors for a longer duration and disseminate the message of Buddha during their stay, Metteya believes that the Son-et-Lumiere project can be instrumental in providing meaningful engagement and increasing tourist stays. He emphasized the importance of a well-written script for the project, which will be developed through collaboration with experts and artists. Metteya appreciated the Foundation for its endeavor to promote Lumbini’s cultural heritage.
Sh. Padma Jyoti introduced the theme and expressed his pleasure at celebrating Buddha Jayanti with the launch of the Son-et-Lumiere project. He highlighted the significance of Nepal being home to the birthplace of Buddha and the potential benefits for tourism, Nepal’s global positioning, scholars, and global peace. Jyoti emphasized the importance of local support and participation, and he pledged his support for the project. He called for public-private partnerships involving government, local bodies, and business entities to ensure timely project completion. Jyoti’s remarks underscore the need for collaboration and the potential benefits for Nepal’s development.
During the event, Hon’ble Madhav Kumar Nepal expressed his enthusiasm for the Lumbini light and sound project, emphasizing its potential to spur social and economic development in the region. Nepal also called for similar projects to be expanded to other cultural areas of Nepal. He suggested creating movies based on the life of Gautam Buddha and urged the South Asia Foundation-Nepal to host a conference on the topic. Nepal’s comments highlight the project’s potential to drive growth in Lumbini and promote cultural tourism in Nepal.
Likewise, Hon’ble Sudan Kirati, Nepal’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, hailed the Lumbini light and sound project as a multidimensional approach to uplift the region, transforming it into a prominent tourist destination. He emphasized the importance of preserving historical knowledge for future generations, noting how the son et lumiere project will communicate Buddha’s messages to the audience. Kirati stressed the need for timely project completion to maximize its benefits for the people. He expressed his vision for Lumbini to become a hub of religious and traditional diplomacy on the global stage.
Hon’ble Chabilal Bishwakarma, a member of the House of Representatives of Nepal’s federal parliament, emphasized the significance of Lumbini’s social and cultural development during his speech. Bishwakarma, who has been advocating for tourism and other developmental activities in Lumbini, believes that the upcoming son-et-lumiere project will mark a new chapter in the promotion of the region.
Amb. Deep Kumar Upadhyay, at present the Vice CHairperson of SAF-Nepal provided details on the Lumbini Development Trust’s upcoming light and sound project. Amb. Upadhyay noted the project’s synchronization with important Buddhist sites and the use of digital and audio technology. He also referred to Gautam Buddha as the Asian face of global peace and wished the foundation success in creating a world-class attraction. Upadhyay emphasized the significance of public-private partnerships and called on the Jyoti Group to lead the project’s success.
In addition to the remarks by the speakers, participants at the event suggested that the Son-et-Lumiere project should include a script written in both local and English languages. They also proposed incorporating a theme of Buddha’s message that includes mutual feelings of equity and equality, as well as showcasing a gender perspective. The participants emphasized the need to expedite the project’s progress.
The SAF and SAF-N partnership, along with the Lumbini Development Trust and all the speakers, underscored the need for collaboration and local participation. The project’s successful completion will benefit Nepal’s global positioning, scholars, and global peace. Public-private partnerships involving government, local bodies, and business entities will ensure timely project completion and promote Nepal’s development. The launch of this groundbreaking project witnessed the beginning of a new initiative in this region which will position Lumbini in the global map which will also promote tourism particularly of Lumbini and largely of Nepal.