Dastangoi Gujrati

Dastangoi Gujrati – Raja Rani

Guajarati Storytelling & Theatre

An NCPA Off-Stage Presentation in collaboration with Utopia Communications

Dastangoi Gujarati: A Fusion of Traditions

After the milestone of completing one hundred performances, Dastangoi Gujarati by Utopia returns with a bold new experiment — Dastangoi Gujarati: Raja Rani, inspired by the book by Urvashi Shrimali.

This new production reimagines the traditional art of dastangoi by expanding it into a multi-actor storytelling format. Featuring four actors and one narrator, the performance moves beyond the classic single-performer style of earlier Dastangoi Gujarati works to duet style.

At its heart lie four timeless love stories drawn from India’s rich cultural and historical tapestry:

Ranak Devi and Ra Khengar – a saga of courage, devotion, and destiny from the royal courts of Saurashtra.

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal – the eternal bond that inspired the world’s most renowned symbol of love, the Taj Mahal.

Prithviraj Chauhan and Sanyogita – a tale of passion, pride, and defiance that changed the course of medieval India.

Kalapi and Shobhana – the poetic and tragic love between a gifted prince-poet and his muse, echoing through the verses of Gujarati literature.

Each story unfolds in a different era and region, capturing diverse expressions of love across India’s royal and poetic past — from valor and sacrifice to longing and artistic devotion. The narrator weaves these tales together, guiding the audience through changing centuries, emotions, and destinies.

At times, two stories intertwine on stage, creating a visual and emotional harmony that deepens the experience — symbolizing how love, in every age and form, beats with the same eternal rhythm.

Dastangoi Gujarati: Raja Rani is a celebration of Gujarati language, storytelling, and theatre — a bold step in the evolution of dastangoi, where history meets imagination and performance meets poetry.

Director: Pritesh Sodha
Show Host Hiten Anandpara
Storytellers Line up:

1. Sejal Pondaa
2. Urvashi Shrimali
3. Hemaksh Vaishnav

Box Office: 26th December for Members & 29th December for Public.