In this episode of The Storied Way Perspective, host Rituparna Ghosh is joined by Nitika Arora, co-founder of Darwesh Heritage Walks, to unpack the power of storytelling in reimagining and reclaiming heritage.

Through a compelling conversation, they explore how heritage goes beyond bricks and buildings to include oral histories, local cultures, and lived traditions. Nikita shares the journey of Darwesh and its use of performative storytelling to breathe life into overlooked histories, especially in urban settings where heritage often hides in plain sight.

Together, they discuss:

• How storytelling can bridge the gap between people and the past
• The role of community voices in shaping authentic narratives
• Challenges of engaging audiences with history in a fast-paced digital world
• The importance of educating youth and rethinking how schools approach heritage
• The potential of digital platforms to make cultural narratives more accessible and inclusive

This episode reflects on why history needs storytellers—to make it personal, participatory, and powerful.

Takeaways

Heritage lives in stories—not just monuments, but traditions, voices, and memory.

Darwesh blends tangible and intangible heritage through immersive, performative storytelling.

Storytelling makes history accessible by turning facts into emotional, human narratives.

Innovative themes and formats help engage modern, diverse, and younger audiences.

Audience participation is key—listeners aren’t passive; they shape the story too.

Urbanisation and time pressures pose challenges, but storytelling adapts to remain relevant.

Digital platforms offer scale, helping heritage stories reach wider, global audiences.

Sustaining storytelling efforts requires collaboration, funding, and community ownership.

Darwesh Heritage Walks, founded in 2013, brings Delhi’s hidden stories to life through immersive walks, intimate baithaks, and creative trails. Blending history, performance, and community voices, Darwesh offers a unique way to experience the city beyond its monuments.

In this episode, Nikita Arora—actor, theatre artist, and Darwesh's chief curator—joins us to discuss the power of performative storytelling and how the Discover–Design–Embellish–Perform approach helps reimagine heritage for modern audiences.

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Connect with Rituparna | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@yourstorybag.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Season 1 of ⁠⁠The Storied Way Perspective