Nandita Das, Neelesh Misra among storytellers in Odisha fest

Bhubaneswar: Storytellers in various genres -- filmmakers Nandita Das and Shabnam Virmani, journalist-radio raconteur Neelesh Misra, and author Deepa Kiran -- will feature in BhuFesto, a five-day storytelling festival starting here on Thursday.

BhuFesto is part of the larger ".FEST", Bhubaneshwar's 16-day festival of food, entertainment, stories and city trails, organised by Bhubaneswar Development Authority and Odisha Tourism.

Deepa Kiran, Nandita Das and Neelesh Mishra are some of the national storytellers that will be part of the festival, along with prominent international ones including Wangari Grace, Ruth Kirkpatrick, Paula Martin and Eric Borrias.

The festival will also feature local storytellers Usasi Mishra, Anant Mahapatra, Prachi Tara Mishra and Gauranga Das.

Performances by musicians like Vishal and Shekhar, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Farhan Akhtar, Shaan, Sona Mohapatra, Rituraj Mohanty, Noorani Sisters and Krishna Beura, are also set to take place at the ".FEST".

The festival dates run parallel to those of 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup taking place in the city. 

"As host to Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2018, Bhubaneswar is home to a large number of visitors from across India and the world for the next two weeks.

"BhuFesto is a good medium and platform for them to get to know more about the city of Bhubaneswar through our local storytellers as well as learn about other countries and cultures through our international and national storytellers," Bhubaneswar Development Authority Vice-Chairman Krishan Kumar told IANS.

Storytelling, he added, is a great way for people to learn and to teach about history, cities, and life lessons.

"It also builds a sense of togetherness, a community gathering and sharing of tales and anecdotes. '.FEST' being the coming together of cultures from all around the world, blends seamlessly with BhuFesto which includes participants from across India and different parts of the globe."

BhuFesto will take place at IG Park, Buddha Jayanti Park, and Kharavela Park from December 6-10. Tickets can be booked online at www.bookmyshow.com.