In an age dominated by digital screens, the ancient art of oral storytelling is finding a vibrant new stage at cultural festivals across India. Events like The Spoken Fest, Kathakar, and the Gaatha Mumbai International Storytelling Festival are bringing narratives out of homes and communities into the public spotlight. A leading example is the Udaipur Tales festival, which has returned for its seventh edition, transforming venues across Rajasthan's picturesque lake city into hubs of narrative magic until 11 January 2024.
A Tapestry of Tales for All Ages
The festival offers a deliberate pause from the digital world, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in stories of every genre. This year's lineup spans contemporary fiction, historical accounts, mystery, thriller, and rich folk traditions. Performers like Divya Dutta, Arif Zakaria, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Danish Hussain, Vilas Janve, and Jyoti Pande will lead engaging sessions. To broaden the very definition of storytelling, the edition also features curated music and dance performances.
In a powerful move towards inclusivity, the festival has invited inmates from Udaipur’s Central Jail to share their personal stories and musical narratives. Another initiative, Jamghat, brings together homemakers, students, and senior citizens from all walks of life, weaving a vibrant tapestry of community voices. Furthermore, a jury will recognise two storytellers for their lifelong contributions to the art form.
Nurturing Young Listeners and Honouring Masters
The festival boasts a rich children's section, attracting large numbers of school students. Sessions often begin with tales of the erstwhile Mewar kingdom, of which Udaipur was the capital, before branching out to Russian folklore, indigenous community lore, and stories on ecology, science fiction, and disability. A memorable moment from a past edition saw young performers aged 9 and 11 from the Langa community of Jaisalmer earning rousing applause alongside their father.
Co-founder Sushmita Singha notes that the audience, united by a love for complex stories, spans all ages. The festival intentionally caps listeners at 300–350 per session to maintain a deep connection between the story, storyteller, and audience. Contrary to assumptions, storytelling is not just for children; Udaipur Tales has cultivated a substantial and returning adult audience over its six previous editions.
Preserving Heritage in a Digital World
The festival addresses a critical cultural concern: the steady erosion of intangible heritage as younger generations migrate to cities, leaving traditional storytellers without successors. To combat this, Udaipur Tales honours master storytellers with 15-20 years of dedicated craft. Past editions have celebrated bhopa and bhopi practitioners of Rajasthan's 200-year-old phad tradition, and showcased styles like Arunachal Pradesh's Wareleeba, alongside traditions from Spain, Russia, and South Africa.
Co-founder Salil Bhandari observes that a compelling story told well holds attention effortlessly, even today. Over recent editions, 125-150 stories have been presented in 30-60 minute sessions, with very few failing to engage. "While online media has its place, live story listening has a much deeper effect on the human psyche," Bhandari asserts. The festival also makes conscious efforts towards accessibility, providing sign language interpreters and workshops for visually impaired students, reinforcing that storytelling is, by nature, inclusive and boundless.
