Two contemporary dastaans written by Ashok Lal. Dastaan-e-Ashok-o-Akbar told by Ratna Pathak Shah & Dastaane-e-Bhanwari told by Naseeruddin Shah.
Dastaan-e-Ashok-o-Akbar told by Ratna Pathak Shah.
The first is a Utopian fable of religious harmony in the declamatory style of Dastaan presentation, with a liberal use of unlikely coincidences, an uplifting end and replete poetry that embellishes the narrative.
Dastaane-e-Bhanwari told by Naseeruddin Shah.
The second is an account of the travails and the unsuccessful but untiring fight for justice of Bhanwari Devi of Jaipur. An inspiring story about never giving up and finding meaning in one’s life in the face of all odds.