Play depicts battle of Karbala through dastangoi, music

A play recreates the historic battle of Karbala of the 7th century in a unique way - through the elements of dance, music, poetry and dastangoi.
Fought between a small group of 72 supporters of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Husain and the mighty force of caliph Yazid, the battle marks the victory of good over evil.
The stories in 'Karbal Katha' are told by a narrator who leads a group of 10 to 12 performers.
"The play is depicted in a unique way by combining the elements of dance, music, poetry and dastangoi. And these elements help recreate the entire battle," says M Sayeed Alam, head of Delhi-based Pierrots Troupe which is producing the play.

'Karbal Katha' is written by Asif Naqvi, a professor of Museum Science at Aligarh Muslim University, and directed by F S Sherani, who heads the Cultural Education Centre at AMU. The music is composed by Meraj Neshat.
AMU Drama Club will present the first premiere show of the play here on May 7.
"Pierrot's Troupe introduces these highly talented actors from AMU," Alam says, adding they bring alive the Indian poetic traditions of Soz and Nawhas.