Fouzia Dastango literally lives and breathes Dastangoi, the traditional Urdu oral storytelling form. Fouzia – the first Indian woman Dastango – has brought alive great personalities and memorable events of the past, such as Dastan-e-Madhubala, Dastan-e-Guru Dutt, Dastan-e-Meena Kumari, Dastan-e-Ram, Dastan-e-Mahabharat and Dastan-e-Gandhi, among others. Her journey into performing arts began with a deep love for Urdu language, literature and theatre. Inspired by Danish Husain’s performance, Fouzia glided into the world of Dastangoi. Her personal interest grew into a lifelong mission to revive the storytelling form for modern audiences. Sharmila Chand catches up with Fouzia backstage at her show, Dastan-e-Guru Dutt, and is impressed by her interest in and commitment to the traditional art form.   

How has your journey been so far?
My journey has been one of passion, perseverance and deep learning. It has shaped me as an artist and as a woman.

How do you keep your work and personal life balanced?
I have learned that balance is not about doing everything at once. It is about giving the right time to the right thing. This helps me stay grounded, focused and happy.

What is the secret of your success?
Passion, discipline and authenticity

What is your philosophy of life?
For me, balance, gratitude and continuous learning are essential. Life, like a Dastan, unfolds one moment at a time, and I want to live each moment with honesty and grace.

What is your passion in life?
My passion is storytelling – bringing words to life through the art of Dastangoi. It gives me immense joy to connect with people through stories that carry language, culture and emotion.

What dreams remain to be fulfilled?
I still have many dreams. I want to take Dastangoi to more audiences across India and the world. I hope to create new Dastans that bring forward untold stories and fresh perspectives. I want to mentor young storytellers, especially women, so that this art continues to grow. I also dream of collaborating across art forms – theatre, music and cinema – to make storytelling even more immersive and powerful.

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I see myself continuing this journey as a storyteller, mentor and cultural ambassador. I hope to have created spaces where new Dastangos can flourish, and the art form can thrive globally. I also see myself preserving and archiving Dastangoi for future  generations – not just performing, but building a legacy. My dream is to see this beautiful tradition shining even brighter a decade from now.