Udaipur: To celebrate the spirit of storytelling, Udaipur Tales hosted the 3-day International storytelling festival from 24th - 26thFebruary, 2017 with success, experience and promises. Presented by 'MA'- My Anchor Foundation in association with BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Rajathan Tourism it created creative sensations, 'The Venice of the East', Udaipur. Eminent storytellers, Musicians and Puppeteers from both India and Abroad made this festival remarkable. One could experience plethora of genres including humor, real-life, fantasy, sentimental and dark (for thelate hours) to keeping everybody on the edge of seat.Shri Rohit Gupta, District Collector, Udaipur inaugurated the first edition of the three days Udaipur Tales Festival at GulabBagh, Udaipur. SeemaChakraborty's energetic fairy tales with interaction with the children, young Abdul Mubin Khan Pathan's "Eidgaah", Puppeteer Varun Narain's show based on story of Oscar Wild " Fisherman and His Soul", kept children and the grownups involved. National Award Winner Durga Bai& Prakash Vyam presented story through the Gond Folk Art.Nadzeda and Team "Russian Beauty Group" presented refreshing songs and dances by Maria and Olga both at Gulab Bagh and Tribute Restaurant at banks of Lake Pichola.The concerts and storytelling sessions at Tribute included Faouzia Dastango and her co story teller Fazal who mesmerized listeners with story "Nanni ki Naani" of Ismat Chughtai.GautamMukerjee transported audience to the history by his story on Maharani Padmini of Chittorgarh. Shantanu Guha Ray, award winning journalist, gripped the audience with his rendition of Urban Murder real-life detective stories and story of M.S. Dhoni. Vilas Janve, a known Mime artist and theater director narrated story "Asmita" written by Dr.Chandra Shekhar Sharma.Vilas Janve kept audience spellbound with his perfect voice modulation and facial expressions. Ajay Kumar a graduate from National School of Drama presented "Bada Bhand so Bhand" based on story "Rijzk ki Maryada" by Vijaydan Detha with professional blending of singing, dancing andacting.Koitsu Salil Mukhiya from Darjeeling, representative of Shamanic tradition told heeling stories. Korian story teller Kwanwoo Go told story of Hong Gil Dong.
The balance of music and stories did not go unnoticed by some of the known and truly soulful music by Tajdar Junaid & Team and Mathais Durnad & Fakhroodin Ghaffarri. Instrumental Music Vipin Soni and group presented Rajasthani melodies. Stalwart Gazal singer Shashank Shekhar sang Gazalas and Sufi song with an accompaniment of Neeraj Mistry and Mukesh Dantya. He also had collaborative music session with Maria and Olaga of Russia. Baul singer from Bardhman, West Bengal Madhusoodan Samanta was at his best rendering soulful songs. Richa a painter from USA presented a painting narrating story of Pannadhay which was created by her during the Festival.
Sushmita Shekhar, Director, UTF expressed "With a casual conversation to the culmination of the festival it has just opened up our minds towards the scope and opportunities we need to work towards. Our attempt would be to travel across various states, cultures, communities and individuals who connect with the vision of Udaipur Tales for years to come. We would like to thank each and everyone who have supported in this journey so far, and hope to continue to sustain the same interest towards this passion led effort" Director Salil Bhandari said "The Festival is conceived as a platform for storytellers--both Indian and International--to showcase their material, and in turn enlighten, entertain and encourage a discerning audience both in India and abroad. Apart from our three day festival, we hope to conduct various events, projects and workshops throughout the year to build a loyal and enthusiastic audience, and to take the powerful and evocative art of storytelling to each and every nook and corner of the country. The three-day international storytelling festival is a participatory project with many avenues for collaboration and association. Director Shankar Nayar thanked sponsors namely Takshila, Hindware, Bry-Air, Dayal Group, MM Auto, Saizar, BGJC Consulting, Environics, Forbes Marshall, Disha, Punj Lloyd, Sugam and NF Infratech. Gift Partners are Lemontree and Fragrance story. Hospitality partners are Jubilantenpro, Chunda Palace, Royal Retreat and Hotel Lavitra. He also thanked District Administration of Udaipur for their enormous support.
