In a rare cultural initiative inside a prison setting, inmates at Udaipur Central Jail took part in a storytelling session designed to encourage self-expression and emotional reflection, allowing participants to share personal stories
-1766760265507_d.png "Bringing stories behind bars: Storytelling session held at Udaipur Central Jail")
The jail-based storytelling competition is part of the festival’s broader effort to nurture storytelling talent across diverse and unconventional settings.
As part of its outreach initiatives ahead of the seventh edition of the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, a unique 'Jail Storytelling Competition' was organised at Udaipur Central Jail on Tuesday.
The initiative brought inmates together for a structured storytelling programme designed to encourage creative expression, emotional reflection and confidence-building through the oral storytelling tradition.
Designed as a humane cultural intervention, the session invited participants to share personal narratives rooted in resilience, transformation, hope and lived experiences.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation, reflecting Udaipur Tales’ inclusive ethos of taking storytelling beyond conventional spaces and amplifying voices from marginalised communities, including those within the prison system.
Speaking on the initiative, Salil Bhandari, founder of the 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 storytelling competition is part of the festival’s broader effort to nurture storytelling talent across diverse and unconventional settings. For many participants, the platform offered a rare opportunity for self-expression, emotional release and meaningful connection with fellow inmates and facilitators.
The session began with a yoga and grounding exercise conducted by Ashutosh Pandey, creating a calm and reflective atmosphere. This was followed by storytelling performances in which inmates—some hesitant, others confident—shared narratives rich in humour, strength, unity and hope. Participants encouraged and supported one another, reinforcing a strong sense of community and empathy within the group.
Advisors and associates of Udaipur Tales, including Charul Choyal, Shibli Khan and Ashutosh Pandey, highlighted storytelling as a powerful tool for rehabilitation, emotional well-being and personal growth, emphasising its role in fostering introspection, human connection and mutual understanding. Jail officials also appreciated the initiative, noting that such creative engagements help boost inmate morale and offer constructive avenues for self-reflection.
The programme concluded on an uplifting note with a musical jamming session, where inmates came together through rhythm and song, further strengthening bonds of camaraderie and shared expression.
About Udaipur Tales
Founded in 2017 by Sushmita Singha and Salil Bhandari, Udaipur Tales is an international storytelling festival that revives the ancient art of storytelling through contemporary forms. Over the years, it has grown into a cultural movement celebrating the power of words, imagination and human connection, bringing together participants from across countries and cultures.
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