The story begins in India, in the deserts of Rajasthan, in the temple of Shiva. The Merchant family dynasty holds the responsibility of upholding the ancient traditions of the Kathak dance, the dance of the Gods. Shantilal Merchant is the last in the line of gurus. This tradition is about to die out. Shantilal was formerly a choreographer in the golden era of India’s great film industry. India was recovering from Partition. Division in the country had ripped the heart and soul of the people apart and Shantilal believed that Cinema could heal the wounds. Shantilal left when the industry grew commercial and lawless, influenced by western trends and dirty money. Shantilal began his own dance school in the desert, teaching traditional folk dance. His granddaughter, Ayesha, left Rajasthan against his wishes, to take up a career in Bollywood. Every accolade, every award was bestowed upon her and so becoming the reigning queen of choreography of Bollywood films today. She has the Midas touch. They call her “The Princess of Romance”. Although they are “The Merchant” family, their approach to film and dance choreography could not be further apart. Shantilal believed that films should change people’s lives. Ayesha believes film should help people escape. Reality or fantasy – there lies the conflict. Ayesha’s teenage rebellion against her classical training, in favour of modern western dance styles, is the seed of their feud. The damage seems irreparable. Ayesha resolves to visit Shantilal to make peace. Her journey takes her to the heart of India – the deserts of Rajasthan and into the arms of her childhood sweetheart, Uday. In the Temple, the fires are burning low. Her grandfather is dying. There is no one left to continue the family tradition, performing the dance of the Gods. Ayesha decides to marry Uday, and stay in Rajasthan to run her grandfather’s dance school and maintain the family traditions. But she will run the school her way, in a balance of old and new. Tears are shed, old wounds are healed, age-old conflict is reconciled in a powerful journey to the sacred heart of dance. The finale of the show displays, in dance, the healing bond between old and new in a fusion of folk, classical, modern, Western and Indian dance forms. | 
