NEW DELHI: KathaaLok, The Great Indian Storytelling Festival, organised by Samay Yaan, is poised to be a vibrant celebration of India's rich narrative traditions, inviting storytellers from across the nation to weave their magic in New Delhi. Set against the scenic backdrop of Palika Park, Connaught Place, on the 10th and 11th of February, this festival is not just an event but a movement to revive and honor the art of storytelling.
At KathaaLok, participants are offered a unique platform to showcase their storytelling prowess, with a chance to win a cash prize of up to Rs 2 Lakhs.
The festival is open to a diverse range of storytelling formats, including solo performances, group storytelling, musical narratives, and visual storytelling. Whether you're a solo storyteller captivating the audience for 4 to 8 minutes, or part of a group ensemble performing for 8 to 15 minutes, KathaaLok is your stage to shine.
The festival celebrates a wide array of story genres such as ‘Akraman’ (war stories), ‘Preet’ (love stories), ‘Hasya’ (comedy), ‘Rehasya’ (mystery), ‘Devlok’ (ancient Indian stories), ‘Aitihasik’ (dramatized Indian historical stories), and enchanting tales from India's villages. Participants are encouraged to delve into the rich reservoirs of Indian literature, choosing works from legendary authors like Acharya Chatursen to Amrita Pritam, in any language, provided the stories resonate with the Indian ethos.
KathaaLok will also host an open mic segment for those looking to share their stories without the competitive edge.
The festival boasts a lineup of celebrated storytellers including Danish Husain, Manu Sikander Dhingra, and Fauzia Dastango, India’s first female Dastango. Attendees can expect a mesmerizing Tilismy story from Danish, a musical rendition of ‘Qissa Heer Waris Shah’ by Manu, and a captivating Dastan-e-ram by Fauzia.
The grand finale, ‘Story of Music Since Vedic Times - Sur Samay Yaan’, promises an auditory feast, tracing the evolution of music from Vedic chants to contemporary genres, performed by both maestros and emerging talents.
The festival's jury comprises esteemed figures from the realms of storytelling and theatre, including Sh. J.P. Singh, Ms. Malvika Joshi, Ms. Shivani Pandey, Ms. Ambica Bhardwaj, and Sh. Amit Tiwari, promising a celebration of stories told and untold.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture under the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative, KathaaLok is a testament to the enduring power of stories and their ability to connect us across time and space.
This initiative by Samay Yaan, a reference library and cultural centre, aims to ignite a passion for Indian narratives among the youth, showcasing the unparalleled beauty of Indian literature and wisdom.
For those eager to be a part of this storytelling odyssey, either as a participant or a spectator, detailed information and registration are available on kathaalok.com. Inquiries can also be directed to samayyaanlive@gmail.com or via phone at 8851357747.
Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the art of storytelling at KathaaLok.
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