Udaipur Tales Storytelling Festival Set for 7th Edition, Dates Revealed For 2026

Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival has announced the dates for its seventh edition, which will return to Udaipur from January 9–11, 2026.

Founded by Sushmita Singha and Salil Bhandari, the festival continues its mission to revive the traditional art of oral storytelling , performed without scripts, books, or gadgets. Each adult session is capped at 350–400 attendees to preserve the intimate, immersive experience that defines the event.

Positioned as one of India’s only international festivals dedicated solely to oral storytelling, Udaipur Tales showcases a wide range of narrative genres including contemporary tales, romance, dastangoi, historical storytelling, mystery, horror, thriller, and folk traditions. The upcoming edition will once again celebrate stories that bridge cultures, generations, and lived experiences.

The 2026 programme will feature:

• Live storytelling sessions by national and international artists
• Honouring of Master Storytellers, recognising two artists for their lifelong contribution to oral storytelling
• Music and folk performances rooted in regional narratives
• A dedicated children’s segment to nurture young imagination through interactive sessions

Speaking about the announcement, co-founder Sushmita Singha 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.”

Singer Meiyang Chang, who will perform at the festival, added, “The magic of stories and the spoken word, especially in a hyper-distracted world, will always bring people together. And what is music if not stories set to a tune? I look forward to performing at Udaipur Tales, binding everyone together with soothing music, warm words and infectious smiles.”

The 2026 lineup includes Arif Zakaria, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Meiyang Chang, Danish Hussain, Mayur Kalbag, Tenny Wizard of Ra, Prithwiraj Choudhury, Geetika Lidder, Vilas Janve, Jyoti Pandey, and more. In a unique highlight, inmates from Udaipur’s Central Jail will also perform, sharing their music and personal stories.

The festival continues to emphasise inclusivity, featuring sign-language interpreters, participation from blind-school students, open-mic sessions under Jamghat, and storytelling competitions for children.

Udaipur Tales aims to preserve and popularise the oral tradition, creating a space where listeners of all ages can engage with stories as shared human experiences.