Dastangah

Dastangah is a term that historically referred to a storyteller or a narrator of dastan. A dastan is a traditional form of oral storytelling originating from Persian and South Asian cultures. These elaborate tales often featured fantastical elements, heroic deeds, romantic encounters, and moral lessons. The dastangah would perform these stories, often in public spaces like coffee houses or at gatherings, using their voice, gestures, and sometimes props to bring the narratives to life. The art of dastangah was a significant form of entertainment and cultural transmission for centuries, preserving folklore, history, and societal values. While the tradition has waned with the advent of modern media, efforts are being made to revive and preserve dastangah as a living art form. The skills of a dastangah included a strong memory, vocal modulation, and the ability to engage an audience through dramatic performance. The repertoire of a dastangah could encompass a vast collection of stories, passed down through generations of performers.