Tales from the Hamza-Nama. Originating in Iran centuries ago, the art of Dastan (legend) goi (telling) spread almost all over the globe with each land tapping its own histories and mythologies, and each creating its own distinctive tradition of allegorical storytelling. In India itself it has several different avatars. Dastangoi in Hindustani flourished upto the early 20th century when it was consumed by the talkie cinema, the last few dastangos (storytellers) dying in penury. Mahmood Farooqi, a Delhi based historian and theatre worker, with his toupe 'Dastak' has for the last few years been attempting to revive this forgotten art. Motley is proud to collaborate in this attempt, and present Dastak's production.
