On February 4, 2023, St. Joseph University performed the play Smashana Kurukshetra at the Sourabha 2023 event, directed by Hanumantharayappa S B and written by the renowned Kannada writer Kuvempu. Set on the battlefield of Kurukshetra after the epic Mahabharata war, the play features a philosophical debate between key characters like Ashwatthama, Bhima, Krishna, and Dharma, who reflect on the aftermath of the war. The characters question the moral righteousness of the battle, exposing the futility of war, human greed, and the ethical dilemmas faced by society.

Through dark humor and profound conversations, Kuvempu critiques the meaning of victory and morality, challenging traditional views on righteousness, power, and the human condition.