Community Storytelling Events at Kathalaya
Join us at our BTM Layout center for monthly storytelling gatherings, open mic nights, and shared cultural experiences.
Our Kathalaya center during the Bengaluru Habba festival. It was a joy to see our space filled with children and adults, all captivated by tales of Karnataka told by our certified storytellers.
Another storyteller, Sriram, engaging the audience during the Bengaluru Habba. Our center becomes a stage where the community can come together to sing, dance, and listen.
A happy group photo after a successful storytelling show at Kathalaya. This is our community, a wonderful mix of young and old, all connected by the magic of a shared story.
One of our certified storytellers, Manasa, in her element during the Bengaluru Habba event. Her expressive style brings so much life to the folklore she shares.
Storyteller Neha captivating the audience at our center. We are proud to provide a platform for the talented storytellers who have trained with us.
A poster for our free storytelling shows as part of the Bengaluru Habba. We believe in making stories accessible to everyone and opening our doors to the community.
Another version of the Bengaluru Habba poster, inviting everyone to our "Namma Kathalaya" center for a leisurely time with our professional storytellers.
About this collection
We do not believe in formal auditoriums here. At our BTM Layout center, we keep it simple, which means floor seating on mats and cushions for everyone. Whether it is an open mic or a feature session, the energy is intimate, making it easy to connect with the stories and the people sharing them.
My center, Kathalaya, is not just a venue, it is a space for the community to gather. Our monthly features, like 'Kathasangama', and our open mic nights are built around the idea that stories are for everyone, from the five-year-old discovering their first fable to the adult seeking to reconnect with their inner voice.
We regularly host events that celebrate language and heritage, such as our recent tributes to Rabindranath Tagore, where we explore poetry, music, and the lesser-known tales of literary giants. You will often find our space filled with laughter, music, and the quiet attention of listeners sitting together on the floor. We also open our doors to versatile writers and guest storytellers who bring fresh perspectives to our community.
Accessibility is at the heart of what we do. Many of our local community events, including some held during the Bengaluru Habba, are free to attend. Our goal is to break down the walls between the performer and the audience, creating a space where you are not just watching a show, but participating in a shared memory. If you are looking for a place in Bangalore to slow down, listen, and perhaps share a story of your own, you are welcome here.
Geeta Ramanujam
I believe stories should be accessible to everyone, which is why I created Kathalaya as a home for these gatherings. We open our doors to anyone curious enough to listen, whether you are a toddler hearing your first folklore or an adult looking to reconnect with your inner voice.
Explore our storytelling calendar
Search for specific upcoming dates, genres, or event types at Kathalaya.
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