Ever heard of a dialect emerging exclusively among and for the women of a community? The Begamaati Zabaan of Old Delhi is probably the only such language, having germinated from the erstwhile pardah system of the community – where women were kept away from public life and isolated with domestic affairs. Even as it has been used and referred to in many literary contexts, over time, the Begamaati zabaan, like many such dialects, has begun to fade. Fouzia Dastango, the first female Dastango of India, is attempting to keep them alive. Through her engagements as an educationist, and her invigorating performances as a Dastango, Fouzia presents a compelling case to keep these tongues in conversation in the contemporary times.
Watch her talk to Inter-Actions about her connection with these languages, their relevance today, and how we can go about conserving them, as she layers her arguments with her most enticing strength – her performance!
