Storytellers making a presentation at “Udaipur Tales” international storytelling festival in Udaipur.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
A three-day Udaipur Tales international storytelling festival organised in Rajasthan’s City of Lakes promoted oral traditions during the present digital age and inspired creativity and connection across generations. The event, held from January 10 to 12, brought together a mix of celebrated authors and narrators from India and abroad.
The rich tapestry of stories and folktales, passed down through generations and laced with humour, wisdom and heartfelt emotions, entertained and educated the audience at the venue near Shilpgram in Udaipur. The biennial festival’s sixth edition, which also introduced a theme of “stories of food”, provided a platform for revival of the timeless art of storytelling.
The festival united the storytellers, writers and enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds to celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage, unique storytelling styles, and oral traditions, which are gradually fading. Over three days, the audience were treated to a variety of stories, such as children’s fables, folk songs, personal experiences, and witty anecdotes.
Each day began with storytelling sessions for children and featured the segments titled ‘Kahaniganj’ (story square) and ‘Jamghat’ (gathering). The festival also included workshops for visually impaired children, who explored the art of storytelling through touch and sensory experiences.
The enriching line-up of stories and performances included Vishal Janve’s narration of the legendary Chetak, Maharana Pratap’s iconic horse; Makrand Deshpande’s engaging Slice of Life; Devdutt Pattanaik’s mythological tale of Sati Savitri; Debjani’s retelling of Shurpanakha’s story from Ramayana; and actor Vicky Ahuja’s performance of Sardar Ji as a tale of the 1947 Partition, which brought tears to the audience.
The festival paid tributes to Amir Khusrau, the 13th century beloved disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya and Sufi poet of Rekhta, Hindvi, and Persian known for his playful riddles, which form part of the Indian folklore. Syed Sahil Agha, specialised in the verbal art of Dastangoi, brought the art of riddles to life through his unique storytelling style, blending traditional and modern elements.
The Naya Savera Band, comprising the prison inmates, showcased their talent and resilience by performing songs which they themselves wrote. The involvement of inmates in the festival helped them gain practical skills, revive self-esteem and leadership, and get a sense of purpose amid the challenging conditions of incarcerated life.
Udaipur Tales co-founder Sushmita Singha said the event, which brought together diverse voices to celebrate the art of storytelling, had succeeded over the years in fostering “deep conversations” between society and culture. “It is also an effort to establish Udaipur as the storytelling capital of India and beyond,” Ms. Singha said.
Published – January 14, 2025 04:00 am IST
