24/07/2026
Karbala se Kashi Tak
The Indian Journey of the Marsiya
Date and Time –7.15 pm, Sunday, July 26th, 2026
Venue – B S Abdur Rahman Auditorium, India Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
Karbala se Kashi Tak is a 75-minute Dastangoi performance that explores the Indian story of the marsiya—one of the finest and most enduring genres of poetry.
Rooted in the tragedy of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, the marsiya began as an elegy commemorating sacrifice, courage and the triumph of truth over tyranny.
In the course of time, it grew into one of the richest and most diverse literary traditions, keeping alive the timeless moral and spiritual message of Karbala.
This Dastangoi explores how the marsiya developed a distinct literary and cultural identity in India.
While remaining rooted in the tragedy of Karbala, it gradually transcended the boundaries of a religious elegy and evolved into a rich and diverse literary tradition.
The marsiya acquired many new avatars, extending the tradition of lament from the tragedy of Karbala to cities, individuals and, ultimately, the national consciousness.
It found expression in forms such as Shahr-e-Ashob, mourning the decline of cities and civilizations; Shakhsi Marsiya, commemorating remarkable individuals; and, in modern times, patriotic verse, where collective grief became a source of courage and national resolve. Kavi Pradeep's immortal Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon stands as one of the finest modern expressions of this enduring genre of poetry.
The story of Karbala has always found a profound resonance in India's philosophical and ethical traditions. Imam Husain's unwavering stand for truth, his refusal to bow before tyranny, and his supreme sacrifice in defence of justice came to be seen as ideals that resonated deeply with the Indian values of satya, ahimsa and moral courage. It is perhaps for this reason that Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sarojini Naidu found enduring inspiration in the message of Karbala. It is this universality that enabled the marsiya to transcend the boundaries of faith and emerge as a powerful expression of our shared human values.
The marsiya would continue to find new meaning in the years that followed. During India's struggle for freedom, the ideals of Karbala found powerful expression in patriotic poetry, where sacrifice, courage and resistance to oppression became symbols of the nation's struggle for independence. Later, during the Progressive Writers' Movement, Karbala acquired new meaning as a metaphor for the struggle for social justice, equality and human dignity. Imam Husain emerged as a universal symbol of courage and resistance against oppression, and the marsiya found a renewed voice in the pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive society.
Through the art of Dastangoi, Karbala se Kashi Tak brings alive this extraordinary literary and cultural legacy, revealing how Indian poets reimagined the story of Karbala through the imagery, symbols and cultural idioms of the Indian subcontinent while preserving its timeless message.
This spirit finds beautiful expression in the following verse:
या रब रसूल-ए-पाक की खेती हरी रहे,
संदल से माँग, बच्चों से गोदी भरी रहे।
In verses such as these, the story of Karbala is expressed through the emotional landscape and cultural idioms of India without ever losing its universal message.
This evening, audiences will experience this extraordinary literary legacy through the artistry of three accomplished Dastangos—Enab Khizra, Firoz Khan and Pallav Mishra.
From remembrance to resistance, from Karbala to Kashi, this Dastangoi is an invitation to rediscover a literary tradition whose enduring message of truth, justice, compassion and human dignity continues to inspire generations.
