The courtyard of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Raidurgam with its ancient mystic look and feel was chosen as the stage for the Gudi Sambaraalu performance of Shama Bhate, a Kathak exponent. The program began with Sangeeta Nritya Kainkaryam, vedic chanting, followed by the dance performance. Since time immemorial, Mahabharata has been an everlasting source of wisdom and learning. It portrays the full spectrum of life – a story of extreme ambitions, aspirations and the inevitable frustration. Towards the end of their lives, all the main characters are looking back and introspecting the catastrophe of the war. Destruction of all that is valuable – both victory and defeat seem meaningless. These ruminations are executed through powerful dance and strong expressions in “Ateet Ki Parchhaiyan” – choreographed by Shama Bhate using seven different dance forms molded together – Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Bharatnatyam, Chhau and Kathak. Shama Bhate conceived her creation in great detail and executed it with brilliance, right from the selection of characters, thoughtful music, narrative, costumes and light.