3rd Annual Varta Storytelling Festival
A free festival celebrating South Asian culture with author readings, shadow puppetry, music, and hands-on crafts.
Bring the whole family to experience a vibrant celebration of culture, literature, and art at the 3rd Annual Varta Storytelling Festival! Hosted at the spectacular Austin Public Library Central Branch, this one-day festival brings global South Asian narratives to life for children and families across Central Texas. Festival Highlights Include: Award-Winning Authors: Meet and hear interactive readings from celebrated children’s book authors including Jyoti Rajan Gopal, Reem Faruqi, and Meera Sriram. Historic Traditional Arts: Witness a mesmerizing performance of traditional Kerala shadow puppetry (Tholpavakoothu), a rare, ancient art form making its debut in Austin! Intergenerational Folk Music & Dance: Enjoy lively musical showcases and rhythm workshops designed for kids to drum, dance, and sing along. Hands-on Workshops: Free arts and crafts stations where children can create their own puppets, explore storytelling elements, and take home their creations. Varta is dedicated to fostering empathy, diverse representation, and intergenerational connections through the universal power of a good story. Admission is completely free, and all workshop materials are provided. Space for specific author sessions and puppetry workshops may be limited, so early arrival or RSVP via our website is highly encouraged!
