Immerse yourself in the lyrical beauty of Hindustani with Waseem Barelvi and Ratna Pathak Shah, alongside an exceptional ensemble in Shabd—an evening where storytelling, poetry, music, and spoken word come together in quiet harmony.
Shabd explores the many shades of Hindustani zubaan, blending qisse, kahani, shayari, and music in a performance that moves fluidly between memory and the present. Curated by Kommune, it draws from the richness of words as they have been spoken, written, and lived over time, while opening the stage to new voices and forms. The result is a heartfelt experience where meaning unfolds through rhythm, tone, and nuance.
Presented as a live showcase, it brings together storytelling, poetry, spoken word, and music in a seamless format. Moving across classical and contemporary traditions, from shayari and qissagoi to musical interludes, it creates a textured journey shaped by voice and sound.
The line-up features a range of distinctive voices— Waseem Barelvi, the legendary Urdu poet, offers verses steeped in emotion and tradition. Ratna Pathak Shah anchors the evening with her nuanced storytelling and commanding presence. Nayab Midha introduces a contemporary perspective, blending modern storytelling with poetry that reflects today’s world. Mehtab Ali Niazi, of the Bhendi Bazaar gharana, enriches the performance with the lyrical resonance of his sitar. Amrita Saluja brings warmth and wit, capturing life’s tender moments with effortless relatability.
Shabd is a celebration of language as it has been carried across generations and as it continues to find new forms today.
Event Venue
The Grand Theatre, NMACC, Jio World Centre, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051, India
INR 750
