Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival has announced its celebrity artist lineup for the 7th edition, scheduled from January 9–11, 2026, in Udaipur. The festival continues to revive the timeless art of oral storytelling with the power of voice and imagination. The event will feature acclaimed storytellers from India and overseas.
Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival will feature National Award-winning actor Divya Dutta and acclaimed theatre and film actor Rajit Kapur, setting the tone for an exciting three-day celebration of voices, narratives and cultures. The festival will additionally feature performers such as the Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company from Ahmedabad presenting Shifting Sands, along with Dastango Danish Husain, actor Arif Zakaria, script & story writer Divy Nidhi Sharma, author Mayur Kalbag, International storytellers Maia Ganatra, Mikka Chesron and Musician-Actor Meiyang Chang with his band.
Speaking about her participation, Divya Dutta said, “Storytelling is where performance becomes most honest, shaped by the connection between the teller and the listener. The Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival provides a meaningful space for stories to be shared through voice, imagination and presence, and I am delighted to be part of it.”
A defining highlight of the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival is ‘Honours Unveiled ’ the Honouring of Master Storytellers, a formally curated segment dedicated to recognising lifelong contribution to the art of oral storytelling. Introduced in the festival’s fifth edition, the initiative reflects Udaipur Tales’ commitment to acknowledging storytellers who have preserved cultural memory, language, values and lived histories through the spoken word. The honour focuses exclusively on oral storytelling and is conferred through a considered, jury-led process, underscoring the festival’s belief in storytelling as a powerful, transformative and living art form.
Speaking on the announcement, Sushmita Singha, Co-founder of Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, said, “Storytelling is the purest form of human connection — it is how we listen, remember and understand one another. Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival has always been about creating an intimate space where stories are shared without filters or distractions. Having distinguished artists from India and overseas adds new layers of depth, craft and flavour to the festival, enriching the experience for both storytellers and audiences alike.”
The Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival 2026 will feature a carefully curated three-day immersive experience, bringing together diverse storytelling traditions, genres and voices. Day One (9th January) will open with the inaugural evening, setting the tone with contemporary, folkloric and satirical narratives, including performances by Mayur Kalbag, Maia Ganatra, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Rajit Kapur and the Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company. Day Two (10th January) will centre on legacy and lived histories, featuring the Honouring of Master Storytellers, followed by storytelling sessions by master narrators and performances by Danish Husain, Colonel R.K. Sharma, Arif Zakaria and Meiyang Chang with his band. Day Three (11th January) will span both morning and evening sessions, exploring autobiographical narratives, classical epics, contemporary international storytelling and music, culminating with performances by Mikka Chesron, Prithviraj Choudhury and National Award-winning actor Divya Dutta, along with musical sufi performance by Aanchal Sriwastav that brings the festival to a close.
Strengthening the festival’s digital presence, Readmio has come on board as the Official Digital Partner for the 2026 edition, supporting Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival outreach and engagement initiatives. Readmio is a children’s storytelling app that offers interactive stories, audiobooks, and read-along experiences designed to make reading engaging and accessible for young learners. A dedicated children’s stage will run each morning, featuring sessions by Vilas Janve, Gouri Nilakantan and Shona Malhotra, alongside storytelling, open mics and school-led performances designed to nurture young imaginations. As part of this initiative, the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival will also host its 6th Annual Storytelling Competition for school students offering young storytellers a platform to express their imagination and voice. All participating students will receive a one-month free subscription to the Readmio app, while winners will be awarded a one-year premium subscription along with an exclusive opportunity to release their own audiobook on the Readmio platform.
Extending this spirit of inclusion, Jamghat, the festival’s open, participative talent platform, will take place across all three days in the afternoon from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, serving as a space for talent-hunting and community engagement. The segment will feature open mics, storytelling competitions for participants ranging from homemakers and college students to independent and first-time performers, along with prize presentations for the school storytelling competition, independent music sets and a range of spontaneous performances. Together, these initiatives reflect the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of storytellers while keeping the oral tradition alive and accessible.
Continuing its commitment to accessibility, Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival will feature sign-language interpreters, participation from visually impaired students and a performance by inmates from Udaipur Central Jail. Tickets for the 2026 edition will be available on BookMyShow, starting at ₹250.
