“My storytelling is deeply rooted in Indian culture. Through my work, I keep alive our ancient tradition and convey the voices of the past to the ears of the future.”

Usha Venkatraman is a Mumbai based award-winning performance storyteller from India, with a storytelling practice spanning over two decades. Her storytelling style is shaped by her foundation and training as a classical vocalist.

As a multi disciplinary artist, she experimented with puppets to introduce Indian Classical Music to her audience in 1996. As a self taught puppeteer, she experiments with Indian puppets and gives her stories a unique twist.

Her passions include adapting traditional Indian stories and multi cultural folktales to celebrate and keep alive their ancient wisdom for future generations and using stories to spread awareness about our fragile planet. 

STEAM Storytelling, mythology for the millennials, animal advocacy, sustainable storytelling and revisiting women heroines of yore are her story trademarks.

Usha is the founder of Mumbai Storytellers Society, an initiative born out of her zeal to keep the oral tradition alive in India. She curated the first international storytelling festival in India and is the creative director of Mumbai International Storytelling Festival - MIST 2020.

Usha is the curator and pioneer of Scifari Festival - Exploring science through stories.

She has launched Storytellers Cafe, a radio show on Bharat FM, a Cincinnati based Radio Channel to broadcast live storytelling to the Global Indian Diaspora.

In 2019, she was shortlisted for the Digital Women Awards by She The People.

Usha has performed at multiple storytelling festivals and schools across the globe. Along the way, she has enthralled audiences in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and the US.