Nov 12: Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival proudly announces the return of its 8th edition, scheduled for January 8–10, 2027, in the scenic city of Udaipur.
Oral storytelling is one of the oldest forms of human communication, carrying with it the memories, wisdom, and traditions of generations. Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival is a celebration of this timeless heritage, bringing the age-old art of storytelling into the present and keeping the tradition alive for generations to come. A coming together of the young and the old, the modern and the traditional, the festival presents a slice of life from across the globe through stories that travel across cultures, geographies, and generations. In an age of fleeting digital content and ever-shrinking attention spans, Udaipur Tales brings the focus back to the warmth and intimacy of the oral words, celebrating the narratives that preserve our cultural identities, connect communities and offer a deeper understanding of our shared heritage.
Udaipur Tales seeks to keep the timeless tradition of oral storytelling alive by creating a space where stories are experienced and shared through the power of the human voice. Bringing together storytellers and audiences in an intimate setting, the festival celebrates the enduring magic of in-person narratives. With artists like Baden Prince, the first ever Caribbean storyteller to perform in India, engaging audiences through sessions for children and adults, alongside independent music performances by young artists such as Madhur Sharma and Chinmayee Tripathi, Udaipur Tales offers a vibrant coming together of global storytelling traditions and contemporary creative expression. To preserve the intimacy of this experience, adult sessions are limited to 350–400 listeners, allowing for a closer connection between the storyteller and the audience.
Speaking on the announcement, Sushmita Singha, Co-founder of Udaipur Tales, said:
“Storytelling is one of the purest forms of human connection, and at the heart of Udaipur Tales is our passion for keeping this timeless tradition alive. As technology and AI continue to transform the way stories are created, consumed, and shared, we believe it is more important than ever to preserve the human voice and the intimacy of stories told in person. Oral storytelling carries the memories, wisdom, traditions, and imagination of generations; it keeps our cultural heritage alive while creating connections that transcend age and boundaries. With our eighth edition, we hope to create a space where these traditions are celebrated, where stories are not merely heard but felt, experienced and carried forward.”
At its heart, Udaipur Tales is a celebration of the timeless art of oral storytelling, bringing together a rich tapestry of voices, traditions, and narratives, presenting a slice of life from across the globe. Spanning genres such as contemporary, romance, dastangoi, history, mystery, horror, thriller and folk, the festival promises an immersive journey through stories that transcend borders, bridge generations, and illuminate the many facets of the human experience. The edition will feature captivating live storytelling sessions by acclaimed national and international artists, alongside the Honouring of Master Storytellers, where two distinguished practitioners will be recognised by an eminent jury for their enduring contribution to the art. Music and folk performances will add a vibrant cultural rhythm to the celebrations, while a dedicated children’s segment will spark young imaginations and nurture a love for storytelling from an early age. Through this confluence of voices, cultures and creative expression, Udaipur Tales continues to champion the power of stories to bring people together.
The 2027 lineup includes Pankaj Tripathi, Kajol Devgan, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Valentina Trivedi, Madhur Sharma, Mita Vashisht, Lt. Gen. A. K. Singh (Retd.), Arthy Muthanna, Baden Prince, Himanshu Bajpai, Chinmayee Tripathi, Prithwiraj Chowdhury, Anisha Motwani, Akash Khurana and Simran Nagmani, among others.
Talking about the Festival, the famous Indian veteran actor, Pankaj Tripathi said,
“Every story has the power to make us feel, reflect, and see the world through someone else’s eyes. There is something truly special about oral storytelling. The voice, the emotion and the connection that unfolds between the storyteller and the listener in that very moment. Udaipur Tales celebrates this beautiful, timeless tradition, reminding us that while the world around us keeps changing, our love for stories remains universal.”
Inclusivity lies at the heart of Udaipur Tales, reflected in initiatives such as sign language interpretation, the participation of students from schools for the visually impaired, and the recognition of master storytellers for their enduring contribution to the art. The festival also creates a platform for emerging talent through Jamghat, its open-mic segment, alongside children’s storytelling competitions that encourage young voices to discover, express and share their own stories. In a unique inclusion, inmates from Udaipur’s Central Jail will also perform as artists, sharing their stories and music.
It is an age of communication characterised by rapidity and fragmentation, oral storytelling provides us with a unique form of engagement through listening and connecting. Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival promises to bring yet another edition, in which stories do not just perform, rather engage the participants. The festival continues to emphasise and preserve oral storytelling to preserve the unique intimacy of speaking and listening to each other and fulfilling our universal need for telling our stories and hearing those told by others.
Tickets will be available on BookMyShow.
