Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival Reveals Star-Studded Lineup For 7th Edition

The Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival has unveiled its celebrity artist lineup for the 7th edition, set to take place from January 9 to 11, 2026, in Udaipur. Staying true to its core philosophy, the festival will once again spotlight the timeless art of oral storytelling, celebrating the power of voice, imagination and lived experience through a carefully curated, immersive programme.

This year’s edition will be headlined by National Award-winning actor Divya Dutta and acclaimed theatre and film actor Rajit Kapur, who will anchor a three-day celebration of narratives drawn from diverse cultures and traditions. The festival will bring together an eclectic mix of performers from India and abroad, including the Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company from Ahmedabad with their production Shifting Sands, renowned Dastango Danish Husain, actor Arif Zakaria, script and story writer Divy Nidhi Sharma, author Mayur Kalbag, international storytellers Maia Ganatra and Mikka Chesron, and musician-actor Meiyang Chang with his band.

Speaking about her participation, Divya Dutta said that storytelling represents the most honest form of performance. “It is shaped by the connection between the teller and the listener. The Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival offers a meaningful space where stories are shared through voice, imagination and presence, and I am delighted to be part of it,” she said.

One of the festival’s defining segments, ‘Honours Unveiled’, will return in 2026. Introduced during the festival’s fifth edition, this curated initiative recognises master storytellers for their lifelong contribution to the art of oral storytelling. Through a jury-led process, the honour celebrates individuals who have preserved cultural memory, language and lived histories through the spoken word, reinforcing the festival’s belief in storytelling as a living, transformative art form.

Announcing the lineup, Sushmita Singha, Co-founder of the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, said the festival has always aimed to create an intimate, distraction-free space for genuine human connection. “Having distinguished artists from India and overseas adds new layers of depth, craft and flavour, enriching the experience for both storytellers and audiences,” she noted.

The three-day programme has been structured as an immersive journey across genres and traditions. Day One (January 9) will open with the inaugural evening, featuring contemporary, folkloric and satirical narratives by Mayur Kalbag, Maia Ganatra, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Rajit Kapur and the Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company. Day Two (January 10) will focus on legacy and lived histories, beginning with the Honouring of Master Storytellers, followed by sessions by Danish Husain, Colonel R.K. Sharma, Arif Zakaria and a musical storytelling performance by Meiyang Chang with his band. Day Three (January 11) will span morning and evening sessions exploring autobiographical narratives, classical epics and international storytelling, culminating with performances by Mikka Chesron, Prithviraj Choudhury, Divya Dutta and a Sufi musical finale by Aanchal Sriwastav.

Strengthening its digital outreach, Readmio has joined as the Official Digital Partner for the 2026 edition. The children’s storytelling app will support the festival’s engagement initiatives, including a dedicated children’s stage each morning featuring sessions by Vilas Janve, Gouri Nilakantan and Shona Malhotra. The festival will also host its 6th Annual Storytelling Competition for school students, offering young voices a platform to perform and be heard. Participating students will receive a one-month free subscription to Readmio, while winners will earn a one-year premium subscription and the opportunity to release their own audiobook on the platform.

Community participation will continue through Jamghat, the festival’s open talent platform, running across all three afternoons from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The segment will feature open mics, storytelling competitions, independent music sets and spontaneous performances by participants ranging from homemakers and college students to first-time performers.

Reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, the 2026 edition will feature sign-language interpreters, participation from visually impaired students, and a special performance by inmates of Udaipur Central Jail. Tickets for the festival will be available on BookMyShow, starting at Rs 250.