Udaipur:The three-day Udaipur Tales Storytelling Festival, organized by Ma My Anchor Foundation at Park Exotica Resort, Shilpgram Road, began on a magical note as compelling narratives drew hundreds of listeners into the very soul of storytelling. From children to adults, audiences were seen fully immersed—laughing, reflecting, and responding emotionally to the stories unfolding before them.


⭐ Vilas Janve became the star attraction among children, setting the tone for the festival with his highly engaging and energetic storytelling style. His opening performance, “Chhora Mewadi Sabse Agadi”, co-presented with Kiran Janve, instantly connected with young listeners. Through the character of a smart, agile, and fearless Mewadi boy, Janve conveyed powerful messages of courage, humanity, healthy living, freedom from mobile addiction, cleanliness, and environmental sensitivity. The story’s rich blend of mystery, adventure, music, humor, and suspense kept children completely captivated and inspired throughout.


The festival opened with a special children’s session, graced by Chief Guest Nivrutti Kumari Mewar, who interacted warmly with school students and encouraged them to explore stories as a path to imagination, values, and self-expression.

Among the evening’s most impactful sessions was Mayur Kalbag’s mystical narrative “Aghori”, which challenged deep-rooted social myths and presented Aghoris as spiritually evolved devotees of Lord Shiva. Kalbag emphasized that storytelling has the power to transform perceptions and bring about meaningful change in society.

The cultural evening featured a diverse range of performances, including:

African folk song “Under the Sky”

Bollywood actor Divya Nidhi Sharma’s contemporary slice-of-life story Life

Acclaimed actor Rajat Kapoor’s satirical presentations Garbage Protection and Majnu

Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company’s classical fusion dance performance Shifting Sands

Bollywood actor Divya Nidhi Sharma highlighted how modern audiences engage differently with stories today, noting reduced patience in the digital era. Her narrative portrayed three defining moments in a young girl’s life, reflecting everyday realities with sensitivity.


Sushmita Singha, founder of the foundation, emphasized India’s unparalleled storytelling heritage and stated that festivals like Udaipur Tales are essential in today’s digital age. “Stories can change lives,” she said, advocating for the establishment of many more institutions like the National School of Drama across the country.

Further enriching the festival were Gauri Neelkanthan’s imaginative tale The Magical Illness and Rajesh Shinde’s musical folk narratives The Shy Demon and The Lioness of Ullal. Delhi-based storyteller Gauri Mehta also left a strong impression on children with her playful and interactive storytelling approach.

Actor Rajesh Shinde, with his vibrant costume and expressive performance, delighted young audiences with Bittu and the Demon, keeping children thoroughly engaged till the end.

Salil Bhandari, co-founder of Udaipur Tales, shared that Chief Guest Nivrutti Kumari Mewar expressed deep appreciation for the initiative and congratulated the organizers for creating a powerful platform that nurtures imagination, creativity, and cultural exchange—especially for children.

✨ With Vilas Janve’s magnetic presence and a rich mix of storytelling, theatre, music, and dance, Udaipur Tales once again proved that stories are timeless bridges between generations, capable of educating, entertaining, and inspiring young minds.

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