National and international storytellers at Kathakar

The art of storytelling, which now remains restricted to the pages of novels, will be revived at a festival here, with professionals from across the world narrating stories in an array of media like poetry, puppetry, and theatre among others.
Organized by Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in collaboration with NGO Nivesh, the sixth edition of 'Kathakar: International Storytellers Festival' will showcase both contemporary stories and tales from the histories and oral traditions of different countries.
The three-day long festival, beginning today will feature Both national and international storytellers. The national performances will include a performance by dastangoi artist, poet and actor Danish Husain.

"His performance on 'Qissebazi' will be a mix of poetry, folk tales, and a story 'Sadi Ka Sabse Bada Aadmi' by the great Hindi writer Kashi Nath Singh," organizers said.
A puppetry performance from Kerala called Tholpavakoothu will recreate episodes from 'Kamba Ramayanam' including the marriage of Ram and Sita, deer hunting (maareecha mopksham), Seetha Apaharanam and Sree Rama Pattabishekam.
"City-based storyteller Jaishree Sethi will narrate folktales from Rajasthan. She will also present her reflections on the writings of O'Henry, Ismat Chugtai and Munshi Premchand," organizers said.

Chilren being the primary audience of stories, the festival will have sessions dedicated to school students in the mornings on all the three days.

International performances will include different forms of storytelling from the United Kingdom and Japan.
For instance, Giles Abbott, one of the UK's leading storytellers, will narrate story from the times of the Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.
"His work is rooted in his love of traditional story, particularly in Viking and Celtic myth," organizers said.
London-based Sarah Rundle, who has been performing for over a decade along with Katy Cawkwell from the UK, popular for her vivid and powerful storytelling performances, will also perform at the festival.
Spice Arthur from Japan, will bring to the stage a unique form of picture storytelling from the Asian country.

Arthur turs the usually rather sedate art of Japanese Kamishibai into something else entirely with picture storytelling and an extra zealous music," organizers said.
The festival is set to continue till November 13.