Storytelling, the world’s oldest form of education, forms an intrinsic part of Indian culture. From our rich folklore and Panchatantra tales to myths and cherished childhood stories narrated by grandparents, India stands as a land of boundless narratives. Among the devoted groups working tirelessly to ensure storytelling continues to thrive in the digital age is the Bangalore Storytelling Society (BSS).
Established in 2013, BSS is a collective of passionate storytellers committed to promoting and nurturing the art of oral storytelling. “We are a group of seven passionate storytellers who started BSS as a registered body focusing on oral storytelling for adults,” shared Vikram Sridhar. Alongside Vikram, the core team comprises Aparna Athreya, Aparna Jaishankar, Lavanya Prasad, Ramya Srinidhi, Shylaja Sampath, and Sowmya Srinivasan. Together, this collective ideates and executes all activities related to the society.
The platform that BSS has created brings together people from diverse backgrounds to share stories, encouraging creative cooperation, a synergy of ideas, and fostering community development. While stories can be conveyed in multiple formats, BSS staunchly advocates for oral storytelling. “Oral storytelling provides a unique opportunity for an audience to experience human connection through facial expressions and emotions. It helps people empathize, develop their imagination and creative thinking, as well as improve their communication skills,” says Aparna Jaishankar.
Exchanging stories allows individuals to connect their past with the present, fostering an environment of bonding and positivity. This sentiment is palpable during BSS’s monthly meet-ups, where energy and enthusiasm fill the room. The core team brainstorms and finalizes themes for these gatherings, subsequently promoting them through social media channels and WhatsApp groups. Open to individuals aged 16 and above, these monthly meet-ups are free of charge.
“The theme is typically topical and is selected based on current events and happenings. It is heartening to see how a single theme can generate a variety of perspectives and narratives. For instance, we had ‘chair’ as the theme for one of our meets, and it was fascinating to hear stories ranging from nostalgia to politics,” Lavanya recalls.
BSS’s involvement extends well beyond its regular meetings.
. The society has organized numerous workshops and programs, often in collaboration with public events. “We have been part of events conducted by Rangoli Metro Art Centre, Gudiya Sambhrama, and the Bangalore International Centre (BIC). A notable initiative, ‘Heads and Tales,’ was a collaboration with Rangoli Metro at Rangasthala, designed to bring families together to listen to stories,” says Sowmya.
The Story Mania with Mentor workshop enabled a professional storyteller to guide children in performing for their family and friends. “This was an online story coaching platform for children aged five to thirteen years,” explains Shylaja. Another key initiative, Story Sans Borders, aimed to transcend language and professional barriers, inviting people to share stories in their native tongues. “We reached out to authors, businessmen, and other professionals, hearing stories in as many as 42 different languages,” remarks Aparna Athreya.
The impact of BSS was particularly notable during the pandemic with the Katha Rasa project. This initiative provided children in rural Karnataka with audiovisual stories incorporating various learning concepts. Recorded in multiple languages spoken throughout Karnataka, including various dialects of Kannada, Konkani, and Tulu, these stories offered vital educational content during challenging times.
Further collaborations underscore BSS’s dedication to its mission. One notable project with the Bangalore chapter of INTACH aimed to narrate stories touching on the history and heritage of Bangalore to students in government schools, shares Ramya.
Currently, BSS is preparing for its annual Bangalore Story Telling (BeST) festival, slated for the end of this year. This distinctive festival curates numerous learning and training events and serves as a bridge between traditional storytellers and contemporary practitioners. In previous editions, the festival has showcased prominent names in oral storytelling, including artists practicing Yakshagana, Bhoota Kola, puppetry, and other traditional art forms, as well as international storytellers.
According to the core members, BSS’s philosophy is to create spaces for storytelling while providing a non-judgmental platform for both professional and amateur storytellers. Striving to make the art of storytelling accessible to all, BSS aims to foster a safe space for people to practice and engage with this timeless art.
In an era of rapid technological advancement, the efforts of the Bangalore Storytelling Society to preserve and promote oral storytelling are not only commendable but essential. By providing platforms for human connection, creativity, and community building through stories, BSS continues to breathe life into an age-old tradition that remains powerfully relevant today.
