Our Story Tellers (Edition 2022)
Susmita Mukherjee
Susmita Mukherjee is a brilliant Indian actress and also an author. She has starred in several Hindi movies and television shows. She studied at Jesus and Mary College of the University of Delhi. She is an alumnus of National School of Drama, passing out in 1983. She has a strong stage presence and versatility in storytelling is an art she has mastered. Her book ‘Baanjh: Incomplete Lives of Complete Women’ which is a collection of 11 short stories released in January 2021 has received popular acclaim.
Himanshu Bajpai
Dr. Himanshu Bajpai is a leading dastango of the country. He has performed more than 300 shows in several countries viz. Singapore, UAE, Turkey etc. Moreover, he has been honoured by the Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind for storytelling. Himanshu’s qissagoi on Rani Durgavati was appreciated by PM Modi in Mann ki Baat. He was invited by the prestigious Harvard University to perform in the Harvard Worldwide Week. He has been a part of Netflix show “Sacred Games Season 2”. His book “Qissa Qissa Lucknowa” published by Rajkamal Prakashan has been a bestseller and he won Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2021 for it. Himanshu appeared on the cover of India Today in Dec, 2019 issue titled ‘Nayi Sanskriti Naye Sitare’.
Adhaar Khurana
Critically acclaimed for writing and directing various shows, he is an actor, writer and director who had a popular cameo in The Interview, and lead parts in the acclaimed comedy Rafta Rafta and the super-hit sentimental stage production of Tuesdays with Morrie.
Usha Venkatraman
Mumbai-based award-winning performance storyteller, the multidisciplinary artist has adapted traditional Indian stories and multicultural folktales to keep the ancient wisdom alive for generations.
Gaggan Mudgal
With a 21-year career in radio as the creative director/presenter of some legendary shows, this multi-talented director, actor and writer’s venture #HomeTheatre is a blend of performing art & stand up.
Varun Narain
A storyteller with a difference, he is a professional puppeteer bringing front the art of telling stories to an adult audience.
Shantanu Guha Roy
A seasoned journalist and author, he is the Indian head of Central European News (CEN), a Vienna-based news agency.
Divy Sharma
Script writer, lyricist and poet, he is an award-winning lyricist who tell stories under the title ‘Karobar Mera Afsana Ka.’
Roohani Sisters
Roohani Sisters – Dr. Jagriti Luthra Prasanna and Dr. Neeta Pandey Negi are doctrates in Sufi music from Delhi University. They perform different forms of music such as Sufi , Sugam Bhakti Sangeet and Nirgun Bhakti Sangeet. They are one of the most popular singers of the country in this genre and are the leading vocalists in the Sufi jugalbandi concept. They have performed at the best musical concerts in the country and abroad, namely Dada Saheb Phalke International Film Festival,International Sufi & Folk Festival, Bangladesh, Fez Festival of Sacred Music, Morocco, Maha Kumbh Mela etc
Ibaadat
Ibaadat is a group which showcases a particular poet, in an uniquely conceived musical drama, in an informal setting of real people with a passion for poetry and music, who meet and talk about a poet’s life and work. The key idea behind this concept is to educate, as well as entertain, the audience with episodes of the poet’s life and help them in understanding the depth of his work.
Dr. Santhushya Fernando
Senior lecturer, advisor, researcher, classical Indian dancer, recorded lyricist and recipient of several accolades, the Sri Lankan stalwart has translated several poetry of Urdu, Hindi and Bangla to Sihala and English. Dr Santhushya Fernando is an extremely accomplished lady from Srilanka and makes storytelling a tool in her medical profession.
Anuragaa & Archit Daniel
aka Anuragaa, a self trained singer has had quite a musical journey from
Lucknow to mumbai to Dubai. In the last 5 years he has done over 1500 live shows not only in India but also abroad.
Anurag is composing for a large Bollywood production as of now. He is recepient of several awards .
Archit Daniel is well known for his soft rock performances in the country and abroad. He
started singing at the age of eight and gained popularity with every passing year.
Archit brings with him a great collection of western music and has done more than 100
shows till now
Vilas Janve
A well-known figure in art & culture scenario of Rajasthan, he is a recipient of national award in the field of mime. The cultural activist creates thematic dramas, has executed thematic cultural festivals and curates stories.
Sanjay Shubhankar
Story screenplay writer and filmmaker, an experienced director with a demonstrated history of directing 20+ full-length plays and organising workshops. He narrates stories on his YouTube channel ‘Sanjay Shubhankar Story Planet’ for all.
Prithwiraj Choudhury
When he is not marketing the latest songs to an Indian audience for a living, he is writing short stories and poetry and dabbling in occasional acting sting in theatre.
Krishnendu Saha
An accomplished Odissi dancer and recipient of Nalanda Nritya Nipuna Award, he has performed in multiple dance festivals across India.