From Oral Epics to Digital Pages: Timeless Journey of Indian Narratives

Storytelling in India has never been just a creative act; it is our collective identity. From the oral epics recited by village storytellers to the printed pages that shaped post-independence thought, and now the digital narratives that reach global audiences, Indian storytelling has continually adapted to the changing times.

As Rudra Narayan Sharma of Rupa Publications notes, “We often describe ourselves as custodians of India’s storytelling tradition.” Heritage publishers have anchored India’s literary journey — nurturing voices that reflect the country’s intellectual heritage while amplifying new, daring perspectives. “Future generations must never lose the diversity and plurality of India’s voices,” says Pranav Johri of Rajpal & Sons.

Today, a new generation of publishers is redefining what it means to tell an Indian story. Independent houses such as Tara Books, Tulika, Zubaan, Speaking Tiger, and Wonder House are blending accessibility with artistry. “We see the landscape of Indian publishing not just as a market, but as a vibrant ecosystem of young minds hungry for stories that reflect their reality,” says Payal Jaipuria of Wonder House Books.

This resurgence of regional storytelling and representation is complemented by innovation in form. Graphic novels, illustrated books, and translations are expanding the visual and linguistic vocabulary of Indian publishing. V. Geetha of Tara Books calls it “storytelling of a special kind” — where traditional art, design, and narrative coalesce to create immersive experiences.

Technology, meanwhile, is rewriting how stories are discovered. “Digital-first publishing has made discovery of titles far more democratic,” observes Neeraj Jain, Managing Director, Scholastic India, who opines that the next disruption will be driven by accessibility rather than novelty — when audiobooks, AI-assisted curation, and multilingual platforms reach semi-urban and rural readers.

Mahendra A. Sharma, Founder and CEO, MatruBharti, observes, “Digital storytelling is evolving from text to audiovisual formats. The Gen Z audience is drawn to stories that can engage them anywhere.” Meanwhile, Storytel is transforming how Indians listen to stories. “For publishers, audio is an easy decision — it takes titles to wider audiences and grows revenue for both publishers and authors,” says Yogesh Dashrath, Country Manager, Storytel India.

Even as publishing experiments with format and reach, its purpose remains unchanged — to connect generations through stories. “The local, the regional flavours should be preserved at all cost,” insists Dr. Vani Vasudevan of Orient BlackSwan.

Read on to know more on how Indian storytelling is not just a reflection of who we are and a promise of who we can become.

Shweta
shweta@allaboutbookpublishing.com