The 7th Edition of the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival unfolded from 9th to 11th January 2026, bringing together storytellers, performers, musicians, and audiences for three immersive days dedicated entirely to the art of storytelling. The festival presented diverse genres, voices, and formats in an intimate, screen-free setting designed to deepen the connection between storyteller and listener.
A defining highlight of the festival was its carefully curated scale and audience-first experience, allowing stories to be felt rather than merely heard. The festival also featured Jamghat, a special open-mic platform that encouraged participation from new and emerging voices, including local artists, students, professionals, and homemakers across the three days.
The festival was graced by people travelling from far and wide- London, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, NCR of Delhi, Allahabad, Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur etc. Nivritti Kumari, from the royal family of Mewar added to its cultural significance. Local artisan and business stalls, each with a story behind their craft, further enriched the festival atmosphere.
Sushmita Singha, Co-Founder, Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, said, “Stories are not meant for one age or one kind of audience; they belong to everyone. Curating Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival has always been about finding voices that carry honesty, humility, and emotion, whether through spoken word, music, or movement. This year’s response from packed sessions to the overwhelming participation of children reinforces our belief that storytelling is a shared experience that builds empathy, curiosity, and community. Udaipur Tales continues to evolve organically, guided by feeling, instinct, and the joy of listening.”
Divya Dutta, actor, said, “Everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be heard. Udaipur Tales offers a deeply intimate setting that allows a rare and honest connection with the audience, making the experience truly special. The warmth and love I received here are priceless. Udaipur Tales is beautifully reviving the tradition of oral storytelling, and I look forward to returning for future editions.”
Divy Nidhi Sharma, Screenplay Writer of Sitaare Zameen Par and Dialogue writer for Laapata Ladies, said, “Udaipur Tales was a deeply immersive experience where stories felt alive, shaped by the space, the audience, and the shared emotion in the room. The warmth and openness of the festival made it truly special. I received immense love from the audience for my performance and I am very grateful for that. I wish to be a part of the coming editions of Udaipur Tales.”
Day One opened with a vibrant children’s storytelling programme attended by over 2000 students from Udaipur schools, featuring acclaimed storytellers like Vilas & Kiran Janve, and Gouri Nilakantan. The evening was followed by performances from Mayur Kalbag, Maia Ganatra from Africa, and Divy Nidhi Sharma, whose specially curated performance left a lasting impression. Satirical political dramas by Rajit Kapur and Aniket Rai, and a soul-stirring Kathak performance by Sanjukta Sinha Dancing Company, closed the day.
Day Two continued with children’s sessions by Shona Malhotra and Rajesh Shinde, followed by the festival’s unique segment honouring Master Storytellers, Padmashri Parshuram Gangavane and Valentina Trivedi. Standout performances included Danish Husain’s evocative Dastangoi, Col. RK Sharma’s stories of unsung army heroes, Arif Zakaria’s humorous rickshaw tale, and a high-energy musical finale by Meiyang Chang and his band.
Day Three blended literature, art, and lived narratives through sessions by Geetika Lidder, Jyoti Pande, Israeli artist Mikka Chesron, followed by the soulful performance of Out of Box – The Jail Band. The evening featured humour, literature, wildlife narratives, and reflections from satirical humour from Vijay Kumar, narratives about the wild by Abhishek Ray and reflections of great artistes by Divya Dutta and the tale from a typical Bengali home by Prithwiraj Choudhury. The soul-stirring Qawwali by Aanchal Shrivastava, set the tone for stories yet to be told at the next edition of Udaipur Tales.
About Udaipur Tales:
Founded in 2017 by Sushmita Singha and Salil Bhandari, Udaipur Tales is an international storytelling festival that revives the ancient art of oral storytelling in various forms. The festival has grown into a cultural movement that celebrates the power of words, imagination, and human connection. Over the years, it has hosted participants from various countries, uniting people through stories that transcend boundaries and bring meaning to shared experiences.
