Kathakar Storytellers Festival returns to Delhi, featuring global legends and performers

Kathakar, India’s premier international storytelling festival, will return for its 18th edition in New Delhi, taking place from January 31 to February 2 at Sunder Nursery Park.

Originally slated for November 22-24 last year, the festival was postponed due to elevated pollution levels in the capital.

The organisers stated, “This festival seeks to revive the traditional art of storytelling in a world increasingly dominated by technology and digital media. Professional storytellers from India and around the world will share engaging tales, celebrating storytelling as a universal tradition across cultures.”

Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, will inaugurate the event on January 31. Organised by Babaji Music, Nivesh, and Hatch, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Delhi Tourism, Kathakar promises a truly unique cultural experience.

Organisers said that audiences in Delhi will enjoy stories and music from storytellers representing Mongolia, England, Sierra Leone, Poland, Australia, Colombia, Estonia, Palestine, Israel, and India.

Mohit Chauhan, the festival’s patron and Mongolia’s cultural ambassador to India, expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s Kathakar festival.

Also Read: Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi hosts group show of artists

“For the first time, Kathakar will tour four cities—Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and my home state, Himachal Pradesh. This year, we’ll delve into ancient tales from mythology, folklore, and literature, alongside international stories. I am excited to bring together international storytellers, Indian performers, and celebrities. I look forward to packed houses, Chauhan shared.

This year’s festival features Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali, music composer and singer Mohit Chauhan, and singer Lucky Ali.

A session titled Kissey, Kahani aur Cinema, moderated by Prarthana Gahilote, will delve into the interplay of storytelling and cinema. The festival will also host a Sufi musical night with AR Rahman’s KM Conservatory and Rajasthani folk music by Kutle Khan.

The festival will present retrospectives of filmmakers Sajid and Imtiaz Ali, including screenings of Laila Majnu and Chamkila.

Arjan Valli fame Bhupinder Babbal will discuss folk music and perform live. International storytellers like Nell Phoenix (UK), Usifu Jalloh (UK/Sierra Leone), Polina Tšerkassova (Estonia), and Nama Tel Sur (Israel) will share their tales.

A special highlight is the conversation between Lucky Ali and Mohit Chauhan, reflecting on their 25-year musical journey and discussing the evolution of storytelling in music.

After 14 years and 17 editions, Kathakar has become synonymous with the celebration of Indian and global storytelling. The festival has reached over 1,50,000 adults and children, offering a platform for traditional and endangered storytelling forms like Pandvani, Dastangoi, Qissebazi, Kerala shadow puppetry, and more. It also features global storytelling traditions such as Caribbean folktales, ghost stories, and Greek mythology.

Kathakar also hosts special sessions for underprivileged and differently-abled children, as well as young patients in hospitals. This year, the initiative will continue with sessions for children in cancer wards, faith-based schools, and community spaces.

Festival director Prarthana Gahilote shared, “As we mark 15 glorious years of Kathakar, the festival embarks on a tour across four cities in Northern India.”

“Started in 2010 under UNESCO’s aegis in memory of Thakur Vishwa Narain Singh, India’s first Braille editor, the festival has grown immensely,” she said.

“It has become a vibrant platform for storytellers to showcase their art to diverse audiences,” she added.

“Performers from across continents bring their stories, culture, and social lives to life. We eagerly await audiences in every city to experience the magic of storytelling and share their feedback with us,” she said.

When: January 31 to February 2

Where: Sunder Nursery Park