Thereby Hangs a Tale

Unlike normal storytelling,Dastangoi involves dramatic body language,intricate vocal modulations and a commanding presence that can make the fantasy tales comes alive. At the beginning of June,a four-day workshop on Dastangoi is being planned in Delhi as an effort to revive the art form.

“Dastangoi was once common in the Capital,and was performed regularly on the steps of the Jama Masjid on balmy evenings. Today,we need more storytellers if it is to be revived in India,” says Mahmood Farooqui,one of the best-known dastangos in India. His Dastangoi performance in 2005 was the first major show after 75 years in India. “Nobody knows how the medieval Dastangos performed the roles,my renditions are based on dramatic innovations created by me,” adds Farooqui.

The workshop will be conducted by him and fellow Dastango Danish Hussain and involve understanding the stories and “demystifying the actions”. Dastans or stories are based on the book Dastan-e-Amir Hamza,originally composed in Persian to describe the adventures of Amir Hamza,Prophet Mohammed’s uncle. “While the workshop is open to newbies,we would prefer participants to have a working knowledge of theatre and Urdu. It should not be confused with a regular theatre workshop,” says Hussain,adding that the Delhi workshop follows a Mumbai one held last year.

The duo adds that the workshop is not performance based (a Dastangoi piece can take several weeks to perfect) but aimed as an introductory course. “We hope that some of the participants will be interested enough to take it further,” says Farooqui. The workshop,free for participants,is being funded by the India Foundation for the Arts,Bangalore.

Contact: mahmood.farooqui@gmail.com