November 13, 2024 : In a world awash with digital content and instant gratification, Udaipur Tales brings back the rich, ancient tradition of oral storytelling, making space for narratives that linger in memory long after the festival concludes.
In the vibrant city of Udaipur, renowned for its historic palaces and shimmering lakes, a unique annual festival is reawakening one of humanity’s oldest traditions: oral storytelling. At Udaipur Tales, founded by the visionary duo Sushmitaand Salil , stories come alive through spoken word, with each tale forming a bridge between generations and cultures. Here, in the heart of Rajasthan, stories are more than just entertainment—they are a way to share values, remember histories, and celebrate lives across geography.
Today, children and adults alike are glued to screens, scrolling endlessly through short videos and curated snippets of entertainment. The habit of sitting down to listen to a story—a tradition once rich with warmth and emotional connection—has largely been replaced by digital consumption. Salil and Sushmita saw this cultural shift as an opportunity to bring people back to the basics, giving storytelling the respect it deserves through Udaipur Tales.
“We wanted to create a space where stories weren’t just watched but were lived,” says Mr. Salil Bhandari, Co-Founder reflecting on the origins of the festival. “Oral storytelling carries a kind of magic that no digital medium can replicate; it’s a bond between the storyteller and the listener, an experience that’s shared, moment by moment, in person.”
Udaipur Tales is designed for people of all ages. With storytelling sessions spanning three days, the festival draws young students, older generations, and entire families who gather to listen, learn, and connect. It’s an environment where the stories are not only about ancient epics and historical events but also about real-life decisions, challenges, and moments of personal triumph. These stories resonate across generations, offering timeless lessons that are often lost in the shuffle of modern life.
“A good story has the power to transport you, to make you laugh, cry, and reflect,” says Ms. Sushmita Singha, Co-Founder. “At Udaipur Tales, our aim is to remind people of that power. We want them to leave each session feeling moved and connected in ways they may have forgotten.”
What sets Udaipur Tales apart is its eclectic lineup of storytellers. The festival invites voices from across India and beyond, celebrating storytellers from the deserts of Rajasthan to the coasts of Odisha. Bollywood personalities, literary giants, folk artists, and musicians share the stage with lesser-known storytellers who carry generations of tradition in their voices. In past editions, notable storytellers have included literary stalwarts like Syed Sahil Agha, celebrated Bollywood actors Mita Vashisht, Susmita Mukherjee, Bhagyashree, Piyush Mishra, Vinay Pathak, Divvya Dutt and folk music icons like Rahgir, Ruhani Sisters and Sufi Singers from Murshidabad. Each storyteller brings a unique perspective, and every story—whether personal, fictional, real —adds a new layer to the festival’s immersive experience. Folk singer – Padma Shri Kaluram Bamaniya , renowned Kabir Panthi
Udaipur Tales has also gained international recognition, drawing storytellers from countries like S.Africa, Russia,Spain,SriLanka Singapore and beyond. These storytellers bring diverse cultural narratives, showcasing the universal human experience and reminding audiences that while customs and languages may differ, the power of a story remains the same.
The magic of Udaipur Tales is not only in the diversity of the stories but in their substance. This isn’t a festival reserved solely for tales of kings, warriors, and epics. Udaipur Tales shines a light on stories that would otherwise go unheard—personal stories of struggle, resilience, and last-minute decisions that changed lives.
One of the festival’s most memorable storytellers, for instance, shared a deeply personal account of overcoming adversity to achieve his dreams, while another narrated an old family story that had been passed down through generations. “These are the stories that remind us of our roots, our shared humanity,” Salil explains. “They inspire us to persevere, to appreciate life’s challenges and triumphs, and to remember the beauty in each person’s journey.”
Unlike many literary festivals, which can sometimes feel more academic than accessible, Udaipur Tales fosters an environment that is warm, welcoming, and deeply emotional. The intimacy between storyteller and audience is palpable, as stories are shared not just with words, but with gestures, expressions, and silences that convey as much as speech. Each story is an experience, inviting listeners to become part of the narrative, feeling every moment alongside the storyteller.
“People who come here aren’t just listeners—they’re participants,” says Sushmita. “They’re drawn into the world of the storyteller, and for a few moments, they live that world, too.”
Udaipur Tales has emerged as a crucial force in reviving oral storytelling in India. The founders, Salil and Sushmita, hope that the festival will inspire more communities to value this art form and help bring oral storytelling back into the cultural mainstream. They see the festival as just the beginning of a larger movement, one that will nurture the art of storytelling in schools, communities, and homes across the country.
“Storytelling is a part of our heritage,” Mr. Salil shares. “In a way, it’s the foundation of our history, our culture, our values. If we lose that, we lose a part of ourselves. Udaipur Tales is our way of preserving that heritage for future generations, making sure they have a place where they can come and hear their own history, their own culture, and their own dreams spoken aloud.”
As Udaipur Tales approaches, audiences from near and far are preparing to experience this one-of-a-kind festival. For three days, Udaipur will become a haven for storytellers and listeners alike, a place where stories from the past and present come together in a celebration of shared memory and human connection.The Festival village has handcrafted items, food with a story which makes it unique and interesting.This year stories on food from another part of the country will be told and served.
If you’re in search of something timeless, something that touches the heart and lingers in the mind, Udaipur Tales offers a retreat from the noise of modern life. Join Salil, Sushmita, and an incredible lineup of storytellers to rediscover the power of a story told by a voice, not a screen—a story that touches you & stays with you long after the festival ends.
