{{Short description|Indian writer and storyteller (born 1982)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Syed Sahil Agha | image = Dastangoi Oral storytelling india.jpg | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1982}} | birth_place = Delhi | citizenship = Indian | education = National School of Drama <br /> Bachelor of Arts (Jamia Millia Islamia) <br /> Diploma in Acting (Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts) | years_active = 2010-present | known_for = ''Dastangoi'' }}
'''Syed Sahil Agha''' (born 1982) is an Indian storyteller, actor, writer and vintage car collector, who is specialised in the verbal art of ''Dastangoi,'' a 13th-century art of oral storytelling in Urdu language. He discovered the old form of ''QissaKhwani'' and revived it by naming it ''QissaGoi'' and also reintroduced ''Jumlebaazi'', a 13th-century wit and Wordplay oral storytelling art form .<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-16 |title=Syed Sahil Agha |url=http://shimlaliteraturefestival.com/performer/syed-sahil-agha/ |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=Shimla International Literature Festival |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jaipur |first=Rajesh Asnani |date=2025-01-13 |title=Udaipur storytelling festival: A celebration of oral tradition |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/Jan/13/udaipur-storytelling-festival-a-celebration-of-oral-tradition-2 |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> He is known for his role as Shibli Nomani in the ''Sir Syed Ahmed Khan: The Messiah,'' a web-series released on Apple TV.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special screening of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: The Messiah held at AMU {{!}} December 19, 2024 |url=https://amu.ac.in/news/2024/12/19/special-screening-of-sir-syed-ahmad-khan-the-messiah-held-at-amu |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=Aligarh Muslim University |language=en}}</ref><ref name="purplepencilproject.">{{Cite web |author=Maniar |first=Prakruti |date=2019-11-30 |title=On the art of storytelling: Dastango Syed Sahil Agha |url=https://www.purplepencilproject.com/dastango-syed-sahil-agha |access-date=2019-11-30 |work=purplepencilproject.com}}</ref><ref name=outlookindia>{{Cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70269/satire-and-humour-come-alive-at-storytelling-festival-udaipur-tales |author=Sahana lyer |title=Udaipur Tales Brings Alive the Art of Storytelling |date=2020-02-29 |website=outlooktraveller |language=en-US |access-date=2020-02-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Raza |first=Danish |date=2018-12-07 |title=The long and Short of Storytelling in India |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/the-long-and-short-of-storytelling-in-india/story-RQ6uANbpZ1Rl6qHPvMgkzH.html |access-date=2018-12-29 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Syed Sahil Agha was born in 1982 in Delhi to Sayyed Mansoor Agha, a writer and senior journalist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Habib |first=Waquar |date=2024-02-26 |title=Dastangoi Artist Syed Sahil Agha On Mastering A Fading Art |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/editors-picks/celebrating-people/dastangoi-artist-syyed-sahil-agha-on-mastering-a-fading-art |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=Outlook Traveller |language=en}}</ref><ref name="the-hindu-news.">{{Cite web |author=Phukan |first=Vikram |date=2019-11-21 |title=Diamonds in the rough |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/diamonds-in-the-rough/article30040698.ece/amp |access-date=2019-11-19 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> He belongs to the Delhi Gharana originated from Amir Khusrau's Silsila of Sufism.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hasan |first=Shah Imran |title=ماضی اورمستقبل کا پل ہے داستان گوئی ۔ سید ساحل آغا |url=https://www.urdu.awazthevoice.in/india-news/dastangoi-is-the-bridge-between-past-and-future-syed-sahil-agha-24736.html |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=urdu.awazthevoice.in |language=ur}}</ref>
He learnt and did his training at National School of Drama and he completed his Bachelor of Arts from Jamia Millia Islamia and then started to perform as a ''Dastango'' in events.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Outlook">{{Cite web |author=Saha |first=Pracheta |date=21 November 2018 |title=Dastaan-E-Dastangoi: The Lost Art Form Of Story Telling |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/society/dastaan-e-dastangoi-the-lost-art-form-of-story-telling-news-320489 |access-date=2018-12-29 |work=outlookindia.com}}</ref> Later, he did Post Graduate Diploma in Acting from Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, Delhi.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Meet Sahil Agha who owns over 50 vintage cars |url=https://ummid.com/news/2022/october/21.10.2022/meet-sahil-agha-who-owns-over-50-vintage-cars.html |accessdate=21 October 2022 |website=ummid.com |publisher=ummid}}</ref>
==Career== Agha gave his first professional ''Dastangoi'' performance in 2010 at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, when he was pursuing Bachelor of Arts there.<ref name="MA">{{cite web |author=Sharma |first=Purnima |date=9 September 2017 |title=Medieval Art, New Interest |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/632302/medieval-art-interest.html |work=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |work=noidaliteraturefestival.com |url=http://www.noidaliteraturefestival.com/special-highlights/.html |author=Vibor |title=noida literature festival highlight 2017 |date=2017-11-01 |access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref> He claims his grandfather was the inspiration for his work.<ref name="Outlook" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.norway.no/en/india/norway-india/news-and-events/new-delhi/news/storytelling-from-a-cross-cultural-perspective/ |title=Storytelling from a cross-cultural perspective |language=en |work=norway.no |access-date=2018-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |work=Sohaila Kapur |url=https://www.theweek.in/webworld/features/society/an-enthralling-collage-of-plays.html/amp |title=An enthralling collage of plays |date=2018-05-01 |access-date=2018-05-01}}</ref>
He has also come up with a new idea of 'Musical Dastangoi' which has an amalgamated storytelling with Indian Opera and Indian classical music.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Eba |first=Syeda |date=2020-02-08 |title=Dastangoi: Bringing stories alive |url=https://www.millenniumpost.in/features/dastangoi-bringing-stories-alive-399611 |access-date=2020-02-10 |website=Millennium Post |language=en-US}}</ref>
Agha is the writer of ''Dastan-e-Hind'' (2010), a collection of his ''dastans'' and Indian folklore, has inspired performances by many artists around the globe.<ref name="DastanGoi, Dastan-e-Amir kusrow">{{Cite web |date=12 December 2017 |title=DastanGoi, Dastan-e-Amir kusrow |url=http://www.karmpatr.com/2017/12/blog-post_650.html |access-date=12 December 2017 |work=karmpatr.com}}</ref><ref name="MA" /> He perform solo rather than as part of a pair. His dastans include ''Nairang-e DastanGoi, Dastan-e-Awadh,'' ''Dastan-e-Dard,'' ''Dastan-e-Taqseem,<ref name="Bazm-e-Urdu.">{{Cite web |title=Bazm-e-Urdu Dubai, Presidents 'Nairang-e DastanGoi' |url=https://thefinancialdaily.com/bazm-e-urdu-presents-nairang-e-dastan-goi/ |work=web desk |publisher=thefinancialdaily.com |language=en-IN}}</ref>'' ''Dastan-e-Dastangoi,,'' ''Dastan Mehboob-e-Ilahi,'' ''Dastan-e-Amir Khusrau'',<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ahmed |first=Tufail |date=13 May 2024 |title=Dastangoi: Timeless tales of Urdu luminary Amir Khusro |url=https://pravasisamwad.com/dastangoi-timeless-tales-of-urdu-luminary-amir-khusro/ |access-date=13 May 2024 |website=Pravasisamwad.com |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Dastan-e-Shoaib Akhtar,''<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan's bowling Great Shoaib Akhtar to Grace Sharjah International Book Fair 2022 |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/11-Nov-2022/pakistan-s-bowling-great-shoaib-akhtar-to-grace-sharjah-international-book-fair-2022 |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Daily Pakistan |publisher=webdesk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SIBF 2022: Shoaib Akhtar to attend show depicting his life story |url=https://www.klyoum.com/uae-news/english/en/amp/97-SIBF-2022-Shoaib-Akhtar-to-attend-show-depicting-his-life-story.php |access-date=13 November 2022 |author=Mazhar Farooqui |website=klyoum.com |publisher=khaleej Times}}</ref> ''Jashn-e-Javed Akhtar,''<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian poet Javed Akhtar's story mesmerises audiences in Dubai |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/indian-poet-javed-akhtars-story-mesmerises-audiences-in-dubai-1.84303317 |access-date=10 December 2021 |author=Nilanjana G. Javed |work=Gulf News}}</ref> ''Dastan-e-Chiragh, Dastan-e-Mahatma,''<ref>{{Cite web |author=Jeelani |first=Gulam |date=2018-10-31 |title=A glimpse of Mahatma Gandhi's life through the art of Dastangoi |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/a-glimpse-of-mahatma-gandhi-s-life-through-the-art-of-dastangoi/story-Eaowx2jAckTxpKYlS94gWI.html |access-date=2018-11-01 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/the-making-of-mahatma/article25452774.ece |author=Diwan Singh Bajeli |title=The making of Mahatma |access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref> ''Dastan-e-Vikram-Betal'' and ''Tughlaqnama, Dastan Dilli Ke Shayron ki<ref>{{Cite web |author=Rana Siddiqui Zaman |date=2019-03-15 |title=Dilli Durbar 2019: A modern attempt at celebrating classical music and more |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/music/dilli-durbar-2019-a-modern-attempt-at-celebrating-classical-music-and-more |access-date=2019-03-15 |work=nationalheraldindia.com}}</ref>'' which have become a hit amongst his audiences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Pakistani cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar at Sharjah International book fair |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/meet-pakistani-cricket-legend-shoaib-akhtar-at-sharjah-international-book-fair-1.91844426 |access-date=8 November 2022 |author=Gulf News Report |work=Gulf News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Dipanita Nath |title=One Hundred Per Cent |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/one-hundred-per-cent-not-in-my-name-dastangoi-4813837/ |access-date=2017-08-27 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref> His musical storytelling includes ''Dastan-e-Duvidha, Jashn-e-Virasat,'' ''Dilli Durbar,<ref name="Team MP">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-19 |title=Dilli Durbar Introducing youngsters to classical Indian music |url=https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/millennium+post-epaper-millpost/introducing+youngsters+to+classical+indian+music-newsid-111381244/amp |access-date=2019-03-19 |work=Team MP}}</ref>''<ref name="millenniumpost.in">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-17 |title=Introducing youngsters to classical Indian music |url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/amp/features/introducing-youngsters-to-classical-indian-music-345088/amp |access-date=2019-03-19 |work=Team MP}}</ref> ''Dastan Ishq-e-Meera, Dastan-e-Sahir'' and many others.<ref name="Team MP" /><ref name="millenniumpost.in" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-01 |title=Tales of Urdu Heritage and Hindu Muslim unity |url=http://www.karmpatr.com/2018/11/tales-of-urdu-heritage-and-hindu-muslim.html?m=1/amp |work=Karmpatr}}</ref>''<ref>{{Cite web |author=Reem Khokhar |date=2018-12-05 |title=Curtains down at Udaipur's international storytelling festival |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/invisible-ink/article25670297.ece/amp |access-date=2018-12-06 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Danish Raza |date=2018-11-01 |title=The long and short of storytelling in India |url=https://m.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/the-long-and-short-of-storytelling-in-india/story-RQ6uANbpZ1Rl6qHPvMgkzH.html |access-date=2018-12-07 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>''
He has been a part of Bharatmuni Rang Utsav, Gaatha: Mumbai International Story Telling Festival, Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, Jahan-e-Khusrau, Shimla International Literature Festival, Sahityotsav Cultural Karvan, Jashn-e-Rekhta and Adbi Forum.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Syed Sahil Agha: Featured Teller at Gaatha Festival |url=https://www.gmisf.org/en/view-featured-teller/syed-sahil-agha/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=gmisf.org}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=2024-11-22 |title=Udaipur Storytelling Festival Returns With Its 6th Edition; Check Details |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!lifestyle/udaipur-oral-storytelling-festival-enn24112204827 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2023-12-17 |title=Storytelling festival 'Udaipur Tales' set to make grand return on January 12 |url=https://theprint.in/india/storytelling-festival-udaipur-tales-set-to-make-grand-return-on-january-12/1889591/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-29 |title=Adbi Forum celebrates Legacy of 'Dastangoi' storytelling art - The Financial Daily |url=https://thefinancialdaily.com/adbi-forum-celebrates-legacy-of-dastangoi-storytelling-art/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sahtyotsav Cultural Karvan Ignites Dehradun with Melodies and Tales {{!}} Entertainment |url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/2999474-sahtyotsav-cultural-karvan-ignites-dehradun-with-melodies-and-tales |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=Devdiscourse |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=Bharatmuni Rang Utsav 2024: A solo and duet drama festival |url=https://thepatriot.in/listicle/bharatmuni-rang-utsav-2024-a-solo-and-duet-drama-festival-62734 |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=The Patriot |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Vintage car collection === Agha, has been engaged in collecting vintage cars for 25 years.<ref name="timesofindia">{{cite news |author=TOI |date=6 April 2022 |title=Delhi's vintage car lover who restores iconic beauties, watch! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/city/delhi/meet-delhis-vintage-car-lover-who-restores-iconic-jalopies/videoshow/90692634.cms?from=mdr |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Muttabi Ali Khan |title=This Delhi man owns over 50 vintage cars |url=https://munsifdaily.com/social-media/this-delhi-man-owns-over-50-vintage-cars/ |accessdate=21 October 2022 |website=munsifdaily.com |publisher=munsifdaily}}</ref> He has mainly collected models of British and German cars.<ref name="the economic times">{{cite news |author=TOI |date=7 April 2022 |title=Delhi's vintage car lover who restores iconic beauties, watch! |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/delhis-vintage-car-lover-who-restores-iconic-beauties-watch/videoshow/90709421.cms |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=the economic times (Panache)}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
==Filmography== ===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Show ! Role ! Channel ! class="unsortable"|Ref |- | 2018 |''Mirza Ghalib Umrao Begum'' | Writer | DD Urdu |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=":1" /> |- | 2019 |''Dastangoi'' | Writer and Performer | Zee Salaam |<ref name=":3" /> |- |}
===Filmography=== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Film ! Role ! Channel ! Ref |- | 2019 |''Pari Khana'' | Writer | Sood Films | <ref name=":3" /> |- |2020 | ''Sanam Khana'' | Writer | Netflix | <ref name=":3" /> |- |}
==Awards and honours== In 2022, National Museum, New Delhi honoured Agha with The Grace of Dastangoi and also displayed his costume ''Angrakha'' at the Chitram Vastram.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |date=17 Dec 2022 |title=How India dressed up: National Museum recreates saga from old manuscripts |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/how-india-dressed-up-national-museum-recreates-saga-from-old-manuscripts-122121800555_1.html |accessdate=18 Dec 2022 |work=Business Standard |location=India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=वस्त्रों और परिधानों की कहानी, पांडुलिपि चित्रों की जुबानी |url=https://www.newstodaynetwork.com/वस्त्रों-और-परिधानों-की-कहानी-पांडुलिपि-चित्रों-की-जुबानी/cid9487238.htm |accessdate= |work=newstodaynetwork.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=dailychhattisgarh news desk |date=17 Dec 2022 |title=वस्त्रों और परिधानों की कहानी, पांडुलिपि चित्रों की जुबानी |url=https://dailychhattisgarh.com/article-details.php?article=181093&path_article=7 |accessdate=18 Dec 2022 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service}}</ref> * Pradesh Jouhar Award 2017 * Hafeez Merathi Award 2017 <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://udaipurtales.com/upcomst.php |title=Storytellers Of 2020 |date=2020-02-08 |website=Udaipur Tales |language=en-US |access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> * Delhi Minorities Commission Award 2019 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://viewswall.com/2020/sahil-agha-a-distinguished-dastango-honored-by-dmc/culture-and-communities/ |title=Sahil Agha, a distinguished Dastango, honored by DMC |author=viewswall |work=viewswall.com |access-date=2020-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Delhi Minorities Commission announces Awards in various fields |url=https://theindianawaaz.com/delhi-minorities-commission-announces-awards-in-various-fields/ |access-date=2020-06-17 |website=theindianawaaz.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DMC 2019 AWARDS |url=https://archive.org/stream/dmc-2019-awards/DMC-2019-Awards_djvu.txt |access-date=2020-06-17 |website=Delhi Minorities Commission}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=15450934}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Agha, Syed Sahil}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century Indian writers Category:Jamia Millia Islamia alumni Category:Dastangos Category:Writers from Delhi Category:Oral historians Category:Oral epic poets Category:Oral literature Category:Urdu-language Indian writers Category:Oral poets Category:1982 births