Pankaj Tripathi, Kajol to Headline International Storytelling Festival
The eighth edition of Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival returns from January 8 to 10, 2027, bringing together actors, musicians and storytellers from India and abroad for three days of oral storytelling in the City of Lakes.
For three days next January, Udaipur will slow down and listen. The Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival returns for its eighth edition from January 8 to 10, 2027, bringing actors, musicians and storytellers from India and abroad to the City of Lakes.
The 2027 lineup includes actors Pankaj Tripathi, Kajol and Mita Vashisht, alongside Baden Prince, who the festival describes as the first Caribbean storyteller to perform in India. Since its inception in 2017, the festival has remained committed to a simple format: one person tells a story, while an audience gathers to listen.
That intimacy is central to the experience. Adult sessions are limited to 350–400 listeners, allowing audiences to experience the pauses, expressions and nuances that make live storytelling distinctive.
Why Oral Storytelling Matters in 2027
Long before books became commonplace, stories travelled through spoken word. Family histories, folktales, warnings and humour were passed from one generation to the next, preserving traditions and connecting communities.
Festival co-founder Sushmita Singha, who established the event with Salil Bhandari, believes preserving this tradition has become increasingly important.
“As technology and AI continue to transform the way stories are created, consumed, and shared, we believe it is more important than ever to preserve the human voice and the intimacy of stories told in person,” she said.
“With our eighth edition, we hope to create a space where these traditions are celebrated, where stories are not merely heard but felt, experienced, and carried forward,” she added.
At a time when much of our entertainment is consumed in short clips and fleeting digital moments, the festival offers something different: the opportunity to spend an hour listening to a story, without distraction.
Udaipur Tales 2027 Lineup: Pankaj Tripathi, Kajol and International Storytellers
The 2027 programme brings together personalities from cinema, theatre, music, literature and the armed forces. Alongside Pankaj Tripathi, Kajol, Mita Vashisht and Baden Prince, the lineup includes Divy Nidhi Sharma, Valentina Trivedi, Madhur Sharma, Lt. Gen. A. K. Singh (Retd.), Arthy Muthanna, Himanshu Bajpai, Chinmayee Tripathi, Prithwiraj Chowdhury, Anisha Motwani, Akash Khurana and Simran Nagmani, among others.
Baden Prince will lead sessions for both children and adults, while independent musicians Madhur Sharma and Chinmayee Tripathi will bring live performances to the three-day programme.
For Pankaj Tripathi, the appeal of oral storytelling lies in the connection created between the person telling a story and the person listening.
“There is something truly special about oral storytelling. The voice, the emotion and the connection that unfolds between the storyteller and the listener in that very moment,” the actor said.
“Udaipur Tales celebrates this beautiful, timeless tradition, reminding us that while the world around us keeps changing, our love for stories remains universal.”
Dastangoi, Folktales, Horror and History: What to Expect
The festival’s programme spans a range of genres and storytelling traditions. Audiences can expect contemporary fiction, romance, Dastangoi, history, mystery, horror, thrillers and folktales, presented by Indian and international artists.
The programme will also feature its Honouring of Master Storytellers segment, recognising two practitioners selected by a jury for their contributions to the art of storytelling.
Alongside the main sessions, music and folk performances will add to the programme, while a dedicated children’s segment will introduce younger audiences to the pleasures of listening, imagination and narration.
Open Mic, Sign Language and Stories from Udaipur’s Central Jail
Beyond its lineup of established performers, Udaipur Tales continues to create opportunities for new voices and wider participation.
Sign language interpretation forms part of the festival’s accessibility initiatives, while students from schools for the visually impaired will also participate in the event.
The Jamghat open-mic segment will give emerging storytellers an opportunity to take the stage. Children, meanwhile, can participate in storytelling competitions designed to encourage their own creative expression.
One of the more distinctive additions to the 2027 programme will be the participation of inmates from Udaipur’s Central Jail, who will share their stories and music. Their presence reinforces the festival’s belief that storytelling belongs to everyone, irrespective of background or circumstance.
Udaipur Tales 2027: Dates, Location and Tickets
The eighth edition of the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival will take place from January 8 to 10, 2027, in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
- Festival: Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, 8th edition
- Dates: January 8–10, 2027
- Location: [Venue name], Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Tickets: Available on BookMyShow [add ticket price range]
- Adult session capacity: 350–400 listeners
Founded in 2017 by Sushmita Singha and Salil Bhandari, Udaipur Tales has welcomed storytellers from several countries across its seven previous editions. As it prepares for its eighth, the festival returns to the idea that inspired it in the first place: the enduring pleasure of gathering together, listening closely and sharing a good story.
