Varta Storytelling Festival

Varta, a storytelling festival, free to attend, brought to Michigan for the first time by nonprofit Peerbagh. It will include author's panels, a Dastangoi storytelling, musical performances, and dancing, and an oral storytelling exhibit showcasing storytelling techniques from South Asia. The festival will also feature storytime inspired by the Ramayana, writing prompts, trivia, coloring, and book signings by authors for kids and families.

Authors Saadia Faruqi, Suma Subramaniam, Salma Hussain, Gauri Dalvi, Shweta Kumar, Upasna Kakroo, and many others will join the event. The event will also see the launch of a children's magazine, Bento. Kitabi Qisse reading choice honors for South-Asian books from 2023-2024 will be announced during the festival along with other giveaways.

The event is supported by the Michigan Asia Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC), the University of Michigan's South-Asian Institute, and the Ann Arbor District Library. It has been conceptualized by award-winning nonprofit, Peerbagh.