A magic carpet of words

Alternatively profound and bawdy, the ancient art of Dastangoi is all about weaving a tapestry of magic realism with words

In an another era, Mahmood Farooqui (a Delhi-based historian, writer and performer) and Danish Husain (an actor and an poet) would have probably held court at the steps of Delhi's Jama Masjid, but today they find kadardaans (patrons) in the granite-laden hall of the Park Hotel (as a part of The Parks' new festival).

However, this very fact hardly seemed to deter these two modern-day dastangos. On a rainy September evening, surrounded by cascades of jasmine, Husain and Farooqui took a roomful of Kolkatans to a faraway world of scheming sorcerers and gullible fairies where dragon armies are slayed with a help of little treacheries and battles are won with the help of conniving seductresses, and all they had to their aid were words.

The ancient art of dastangoi was popular in India since the eleventh century. It's believed that these narrations of the exploits of Amir Hamza, the Islamic warrior, was liked by emperor Akbar too. With its transmission into Urdu, dastangoi gained mass appeal. It was, indeed, an art-form meant fo the general audience. something which they can relate to. As Husain and Farooqui enthralled the audience with an animated narration, it was not difficult to identify origins of the Parsi theatre tradition (which in turn influenced what we know as masala Hindi films).

Full report here Indian Express

Breathing life into words

There is a Jewish saying — God made man because he loves stories. And man has been telling stories from time immemorial. There are no cultures or societies without stories — tales of love, tragedies, escapades and heroic deeds.

“Dastangoi, the art of storytelling is a compound of two Persian words ‘dastan’ and ‘goi’, which means to tell a dastan (story). Dastans were epics, often oral in nature, which were recited or read aloud,” says Mahmood Farooqui, the man who’s been responsible for reviving this lost art, which can be traced back to the 16th century.

Full report here Bangalore Mirror

Reviving the lost art of Storytelling with “Dastangoi”

India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) presents Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain’s “Dastangoi” at Chowdiah Memorial hall on Saturday, 25th September at 7:30pm.

Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain’s Dastangoi—a sixteenth century performed art of storytelling is supported by India Foundation for the Arts under the Extending Arts Practice programme.

"Dastangoi" is the compounding of two Persian or Farsi words words,  Dastan and goi which means to tell a Dasta. This refers to the art of storytelling. Dastans were epics, and like in most old cultures, these epics were always passed on and communicated orally. In the old days, when there was a limited entertainment, who communities used to come together and listen to stories told by skilled story tellers. These were either recited or then read aloud and in essence spoke of medieval romances, war and heroes.

Full report here MyBangalore

Tales of storytellers

Sound of energetic Wah Wahs resonated in the main theatre of Film and Television Institute of India. The stage was set, perfectly suiting the era of the Dastangoi- the ancient art of storytelling. The 50 year golden jubilee celebration at FTII was the apt occasion to celebrate this ideal blend of poetry and drama.

Marked by dramatic, loud hand gestures and set on varied pitches, this performance by Mahmood Farooqui and Danish Husain was a visual delight as well. Farooqui has been involved in the revival of this art since 2004. Talking about his first encounter with this art form he says, “In August 2002, I first encountered the Dastan-e Amir Hamza and I was asked to help out somebody who was making a film. Though the film never got made, I got interested in Dastangoi.”

Full report here Indian Express