Nov 30 2024 to Nov 30 2024 7 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Language: Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu Mix)

A Dastango and a Hindustani Classical Singer tell the story of the life of Begum Akhtar, interspersed with a rendition of her ghazals and thumris, both the popular ones and the lesser known ones.

Dastan-e-Akhtari showcases how Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, born to a Tawaif, fought many challenges in her life with her talent, persistence and passion for her Art and Life itself and rose to be regarded as the undisputable queen of Ghazal singing.

Supported by:
Performers
Kafeel Jafri
Theatre Practitioner, Writer & Poet

Kafeel Jafri is a Bangalore-based theatre artist and poet. Trained in theatre acting and techniques by eminent gurus, Kafeel has acted in over 20 theatre productions, one feature film, several short films and ads. He has also translated two plays from English to Hindi.
He has also conceptualized and performed shows around Urdu literature. Some of these shows are Life and works of Faiz, An evening of Ghalib and his Ghazals, Manto ki Kahaniyan. His love for Urdu comes from his culturally rich upbringing in Lucknow, especially from the tradition azadari, the mourning tradition of Muharram. As a Dastango, he has performed more than 50 shows of the Classical Dastans. He also teaches acting through workshops for individuals and delivers drama & storytelling-based training in organizations for diversity and inclusion sensitization and Sales.
Yusra Naqvi
Soz & Salaam Recitation

Yusra Naqvi is a vocalist and instrumentalist, pursuing Alankaar (Masters) in Hindustani classical music from Gandharva under Khushal Sharma and Pt. Madhup Mudgal. She belongs to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where she did her schooling and simultaneously learnt classical music from Dr. Rupam Bajpai for six years. Currently a student of History at the Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi, she is also a performing artist of khayal, dhamaar, thumri and dadra in the classical genre, and of ghazals and bhajans in light classical music. She learnt Soz and Salaam from elders in her extended family and has been reciting these forms from a young age. Yusra is an enthusiast of Urdu resistance poetry.