Hindi Plays With Mystical Themes Draw Audience in New Jersey

Host Abhishek Mishra and his wife are joined by Ashok Vyas, theater artists and guests during the “Beyond Understanding” dramatic reading event in Edison, N.J.

EDISON, N.J. — A collection of Hindi plays exploring mystical themes and spiritual experiences drew an intimate audience May 9 during a cultural gathering hosted by the newly launched Heramba Art and Culture Center in collaboration with Prayog Natya Sanstha.

Titled “Beyond Understanding,” the afternoon program featured dramatic readings of three original Hindi plays written by Ashok Vyas. The event was held under a tent at the Edison residence of Abhishek Mishra and attracted Hindi literature enthusiasts, artists and community members.

Rather than full theatrical productions, the plays were presented through dramatic readings accompanied by interactive discussions with the audience after each performance.

The common thread running through the three plays was the exploration of mystical events, divine intervention and extraordinary coincidences that influence human lives in unexpected ways.

Theater artists participate in a dramatic reading during the “Beyond Understanding” cultural program featuring original Hindi plays by Ashok Vyas in Edison, N.J.

The first play, “Agyat Ka Bhay” (“Fear of the Unknown”), centered on a man battling despair and suicidal thoughts whose life changes following an unexpected visit with his wife to the Mishra home. The story examined the intersection of coincidence and faith through a series of unexplained spiritual experiences, including manifestations associated with Hindu deities. Abhishek and Namita Mishra portrayed themselves in the reading.

The second play, “Mystical Chai,” blended spirituality with suspense and contemporary themes such as social media and artificial intelligence. The story focused on a young New Jersey resident devoted to the Mother Goddess and explored questions surrounding faith, truth and divine possibility.

The final presentation, “Chief Controller,” examined the relationship between technological advancement, artificial intelligence and human spirituality. Set around the founders of a multibillion-dollar technology company, the play explored themes of divine protection, faith and the preservation of human sensitivity amid rapid technological growth.

Abhishek Mishra shows Ashok Vyas images believed to depict manifestations of Lord Shiva at his Edison, N.J., residence during the “Beyond Understanding” cultural gathering. All photos: Abishek Mishra

Organizers said the event also marked the soft launch of the New York-based Heramba Art and Culture Center, an initiative associated with Vyas’ HerambaStudio platform, which presents spiritual, dharmic and mental health-related programming.

Vyas, a poet, Hindu priest and longtime television host, is known for more than 25 years of programming on ITV Gold. He also operates HerambaStudio, a YouTube platform focused on spirituality and Vedanta philosophy.

Ameeya Mehta spoke about the journey of New Jersey-based Prayog Natya Sanstha during the event. Vineeta Khanna performed a bhajan by Sant Kabir and a ghazal for attendees.

Among those present were Parveen Chopra, yoga teacher Vijay Trivedi, Pradeep Agarwal, Raj Mittal, Om Sharma and Ashok Ojha.

The event concluded with remarks by Namita Mishra thanking the writers, artists and audience members. Guests later toured the Mishra residence to view what organizers described as unusual spiritual signs connected to the themes explored in the plays