In a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital noise, the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival offers a beautiful reminder of storytelling's timeless power to connect us. Returning for its seventh edition from January 9-11, this unique celebration proves that the ancient art of sharing stories aloud is not only alive but thriving.

Co-founders Sushmita Singha, a culture curator and author, and social entrepreneur Salil Bhandari created something truly special nearly a decade ago. Their vision was refreshingly simple yet profound: create a dedicated space where stories could be shared in their most elemental form, preserving the rich oral traditions of tribal communities and the land itself. "What felt missing was a space dedicated to stories," Singha explains warmly.

What makes this festival extraordinary is its singular focus. Unlike hybrid events mixing various art forms, Udaipur Tales dedicates itself entirely to the spoken word. "It's three days of uninterrupted storytelling," Singha shares with evident pride. The founders didn't even know adult storytelling festivals existed when they started, yet their instinct led them to fill a vital cultural gap.

The festival's growth tells an inspiring story of its own. That first modest edition expected just 100 attendees but drew 120 by the final day, revealing a hunger for this kind of authentic human connection. Over six editions, the event has evolved from nostalgic entertainment into something deeper—a space for reflection, interpretation, and shared experience.

Salil recalls a transformative moment when a storyteller shared Mandodari's story. "The audience took away very different meanings from it," he reflects. "The strength of the story lay in how it allowed people to interpret it through their lens." This openness to interpretation keeps audiences returning year after year, finding new meaning in ancient tales.

This year's lineup sparkles with talent, featuring beloved performers including Divya Dutta, Rajit Kapur, Arif Zakaria, Danish Hussain, Meiyang Chang, and many others. They'll explore genres spanning contemporary romance, dastangoi, history, mystery, horror, and folk traditions. The format remains beautifully analogue, centering voice, presence, and attentive listening.

The festival's commitment to inclusivity shines particularly bright this year. Performances by inmates from Udaipur Central Jail offer rehabilitation through art, while sign-language interpretation ensures accessibility for deaf audiences. Blind school students will participate, and dedicated children's programming introduces young minds to storytelling's magic. Open-mic sessions and competitions nurture emerging storytellers, ensuring this ancient art form has a vibrant future.

As it enters its seventh year, Udaipur Tales stands as a testament to storytelling's enduring relevance. It privileges depth over scale, creating what Bhandari calls "a sustained listening practice." In our fragmented modern world, this festival offers something increasingly precious: uninterrupted time to gather, listen, and share in the stories that make us human.

The event takes place at Park Exotica Resort in Udaipur, with accessible tickets available on BookMyShow for just ₹250—a small price for three days of transformative storytelling.