‘Dastan-e-Guru Dutt’: A musical tribute to the cinematic genius

Dastan-e-Guru Dutt — a unique musical homage to the legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt — will be presented through the centuries-old tradition of dastangoi, an oral storytelling art form, to mark his birth centenary. The show will be performed by India’s first woman dastango, Fouzia Dastango, and will feature singer Latika Jain from Mumbai.

The performance blends narrative, poetry, and music, allowing audiences to experience Guru Dutt’s life and artistry in an intimate, immersive format. The script is penned by Abbas Qamar, with research conducted by Asha Batra, founder of Cinemaazi, a private digital archive and research centre on Indian cinema. The event is produced and presented by Roopali and Vikas Jalan, long-time patrons of music, art, and culture in New Delhi.

Fouzia Dastango said, “Guru Dutt is not just a name, he is an emotion—an eternal soul who captured the deepest human feelings through his cinema. With Dastan-e-Guru Dutt, I wish to bring his life and art to today’s generation so that his light continues to shine forever.”

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Singer Latika Jain added, “To be associated with a program celebrating a stalwart like Guru Dutt is an honour beyond words. When I sing his songs on stage, it feels as though I am carrying his stories forward, under his direction. It is both an opportunity and a responsibility.”

Vikas Jalan said, “Programs focusing on music, dance, art, and theatre celebrate diverse traditions, foster mutual respect, and help people understand different cultural identities. This is our small effort to build bridges and encourage appreciation of global heritage.”

When: October 11; 6 PM – 8 PM

Where: Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi