Syed Sahil Agha is a storyteller of rare devotion, breathing new life into the centuries-old tradition of Dastangoi—an Urdu oral art form steeped in myth, memory and magnificence. Rooted in history yet alive with contemporary resonance, his performances unfold like living epics: charged with emotion, rich in detail and steeped in the quiet grandeur of spoken word.
Each tale he tells is more than performance—it is an immersion into a world shaped by valour, romance and mysticism. With a voice that carries the weight of ancestral echoes, Sahil conjures stories into existence, letting them linger in the air like incense—intangible yet deeply present. His practice is one of both revival and reverence, where the drama of narration meets the intimacy of listening.
As a solo performer, he channels the essence of Dastangoi with clarity and grace—where simplicity becomes powerful and words transcend time. In Sahil’s hands, storytelling becomes not just an art, but a bridge—linking past to present, memory to imagination and listener to legend.
Anas Sheikh approaches textile design with the belief that true understanding begins at the source. As the founder of 23°N 69°E, his practice is rooted in lived experience, where craft is not observed from a distance but learned through immersion. His work bridges the precision of heritage textile traditions with a contemporary design language, ensuring that centuries-old techniques continue to evolve with purpose.
There is an honesty in Anas’s practice. It reveals itself through process, patience and a willingness to begin as a student. In 2019, he stepped away from digital mood boards and moved to Ajrakhpur, living and working alongside master block printers in Kachchh. Over four months, he learned every stage of the craft—from preparing natural dyes to printing fabric by hand—allowing the discipline of the process to reshape his understanding of design.
Yet mastery did not mean imitation. After embracing the exact geometry of Ajrakh, Anas sought to introduce a sense of movement and spontaneity. By hand-painting textiles before applying traditional block prints, he creates a dialogue between structure and freedom, allowing historic motifs to exist within a new visual language while preserving their essence.
Working closely with artisan communities and locally grown Kala cotton, Anas treats craft as a collaborative practice rather than a solitary pursuit. His work honours the knowledge embedded within generations of makers, ensuring that traditional textile techniques remain relevant, respected and alive in the contemporary wardrobe.
Every piece carries the imprint of time, touch and shared expertise. It is a slow, methodical process that celebrates the dignity of craftsmanship while inviting heritage to continue evolving through thoughtful innovation.
As part of Burgoyne Original Masters, Anas Sheikh represents a practice where learning, collaboration and experimentation come together—proving that tradition is not preserved by standing still, but by allowing it to grow.
Tradition is not preserved by standing still, but by allowing it to grow.
"Storytelling is that meeting with the past,
with memories and friends,
who still live on within the tales.
"Storytelling is that meeting
with the past, with memories
and friends, who still live on
within the tales.
