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Festival outreach initiative focuses on creative expression within the prison system
Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival organised a Jail Storytelling Competition at Udaipur Central Jail on December 23, 2025, as part of its outreach initiatives leading up to the seventh edition of the festival.
The programme brought together inmates for a structured storytelling session aimed at encouraging creative expression, reflection, and confidence-building through oral storytelling. Participants shared personal narratives drawn from lived experiences, focusing on themes of resilience, transformation and hope.
Speaking on the initiative, Salil Bhandari, Founder of Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, said, “As the main edition of the festival approaches, this storytelling competition at Udaipur Central Jail stands as a testament to Udaipur Tales’ commitment to inclusivity, social impact, and the transformative power of stories, reaffirming the belief that every individual—regardless of circumstance—has a story worth telling”.
The jail-based competition formed part of the festival’s broader pre-event outreach initiatives, which focus on identifying and nurturing storytelling talent in diverse and non-traditional settings. For many inmates, the programme offered an opportunity for self-expression and interaction within a facilitated cultural environment.
Also read: Udaipur Tales 2026 to Host Over 3000 Participants Across Three Days of Global Storytelling
The session opened with a yoga and grounding exercise led by Ashutosh Pandey, setting a reflective tone for the programme. This was followed by storytelling performances, in which inmates presented narratives reflecting personal journeys and shared experiences. Participants actively encouraged one another throughout the session.
Advisors and associates of Udaipur Tales, including Charul Choyal, Shibli Khan and Pandey, highlighted the role of storytelling in rehabilitation, emotional well-being and personal development. Jail officials also acknowledged the initiative, noting that creative programmes contribute positively to inmate morale and constructive engagement.
The programme concluded with a musical jamming session, where participants engaged collectively through music and rhythm.
