The Udaipur Storytelling Festival began at Park Exotica Resort near Shilpgram, celebrating the art of storytelling with a diverse blend of real and fictional tales. Organized by Udaipur Tales, this three-day festival aimed to rekindle the joy of storytelling and foster creativity across generations.
The inaugural session featured a tale of patriotism, with renowned artist Vilas Janve narrating the heroic story of Maharana Pratap’s loyal horse, Chetak. Addressing an audience of nearly 1,000 schoolchildren, Janve brought the story to life, highlighting Chetak’s bravery and loyalty. His engaging narration left the young listeners spellbound.
Following Janve, storyteller Shona Malhotra led interactive sessions to boost children’s confidence and creativity. Nisha Sinha captivated the audience with a unique tale about an emperor’s attire, while Sukhmani Kohli’s theatrical storytelling left both children and adults in laughter.
Co-founder Sushmita Singha shared, “The Udaipur Storytelling Festival is more than a platform for tales; it’s a step towards making Udaipur a storytelling hub. Through stories, we aim to bridge societal and cultural divides.” Co-founder Salil Bhandari added, “Stories are a powerful medium to inspire and connect society, especially the youth.”
A special performance by inmates from the Swaraj Jail University project added a heartfelt dimension to the festival. Their original songs, like “Na Main Jap Na Main Tap” and “Ek Safar Ki Talaash,” mesmerized the audience, providing a unique platform for the inmates to express themselves and reconnect with society.