Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival proudly announces the return of its 7th edition, scheduled for January 9–11, 2026, in the scenic city of Udaipur.
Founded by Sushmita Singha and Salil Bhandari, Udaipur Tales is dedicated to reviving the timeless art of oral storytelling — no reading, no scripts, and no gadgets — only the magic of words and presence. The festival’s adult sessions are limited to 350–400 listeners, ensuring intimacy and authentic connection between storytellers and audiences.
Speaking on the announcement, Sushmita Singha, Co-founder of Udaipur Tales, said: “Storytelling is the purest form of human connection. Each edition of Udaipur Tales is about rediscovering that bond — through voices, traditions, and experiences that move us. The 2026 edition will bring together a diverse community of storytellers and listeners to celebrate narratives that unite, inspire, and transform. Udaipur Tales is about stories that connect us — raw, real, and human,”
Talking about the Festival, the famous singer Meiyang Chang said “The magic of stories and the spoken word, especially in a hyper distracted and splintered world, will always bring people together. And what is music if not stories set to a tune, passed on from soul to soul? For that very reason, I look forward to performing at Udaipur Tales, binding everyone together in soothing music, comforting words and infectious smiles.”
This one-of-a-kind international storytelling festival aims to celebrate diverse storytelling genres such as contemporary, romance, dastangoi, historical, mystery, horror, thriller, and folk, among others. The festival provides a rich tapestry of performances, each contributing to a celebration of human experience and artistic expression.
This year’s edition, like always, will continue to celebrate stories that connect people across generations, geographies, and cultures. The festival will feature:
- Live storytelling sessions by national and international artists.
- Honouring of Master Storytellers, wherein two storytellers selected by an eminent jury will be recognised for their long-standing contribution to the art of oral storytelling.
- Music and folk performances that bring regional narratives to life.
- A dedicated children’s segment designed to nurture young imaginations through creative engagement.
The 2026 lineup includesArif Zakaria, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Meiyang Chang, Danish Hussain, Mayur Kalbag, Tenny Wizard of Ra, Prithwiraj Choudhury, Geetika Lidder, Vilas Janve, Jyoti Pandey andothers.In a unique inclusion, inmates from Udaipur’s Central Jail will also perform as artists, sharing their stories and music.
With sign language interpreters, participation from blind school students, and honours for master storytellers, the festival embodies inclusivity. Emerging voices will be celebrated through the open-mic segment Jamghat and children’sstorytelling competitions.
Udaipur Tales will continue to popularise the oral tradition of storytelling. It envisages a platform where the young and the old can participate and enjoy listening to stories — growing rich in values and experiences. The festival believes that storytelling is not just about an artist telling a story to an audience — it is an exchange between the teller and the listener, an experience both go through to take home a memory.
Tickets are available onBookMyShow, starting at ₹250 onwards.
