Storytelling in India has completely changed. You don’t need a book contract or fancy Urdu to connect with an audience anymore. Today, young performers just grab a mic, share real-life stories, and sell out auditoriums across the country.
Whether they are talking about heartbreak, moving away from home, or dealing with mental health, these 10 artists say what most of us are quietly feeling.
- Nayab Midha
Who she is: An ex-software engineer from Delhi who quit tech to tell stories full-time.
What she talks about: Loving yourself, healing, womanhood, and finding hope on bad days.
Famous pieces: “Tum Khoobsurat Ho” (a massive viral hit about self-love), “Muskurao”, and “Tu Kaisi Hai?”
Where to see her: Touring live shows like Rajkumari and Bawari, and on YouTube platforms like Tape A Tale and Kommune.
- Laksh Maheshwari (Single-Handedly)
Who he is: A digital creator and performer known for turning personal vulnerability and humor into stage art.
What he talks about: Modern dating, living with a physical disability, loneliness in big cities, and analyzing classic Bollywood love stories.
Famous pieces: His breakthrough Spoken Fest performance “Single-Handedly”, his stage show “Main Tenu Phir Milangi”, and deep dives into movies like Tamasha and Raanjhanaa.
Where to see him: Touring live shows (Single Handedly Live) and on his Instagram and YouTube channels.
- Divyansh Rana
Who he is: A grounded storyteller, poet, and podcast host with a distinctly relatable, small-town voice.
What he talks about: Eldest son responsibilities, male friendship (bhaichara), college memories, and middle-class dreams.
Famous pieces: “Chote Shehar Bade Sapne”, “Hote Honge Auro Ke Dost”, “Ghar Lunga”, and his interview show Baatein With Divyansh Rana.
Where to see him: Live campus shows, poetry events, and his regular video releases on YouTube with BLive Studio.
- Yahya Bootwala
Who he is: The Mumbai-based artist who practically started India’s viral spoken-word craze online.
What he talks about: First love, moving on, unspoken goodbyes, and the pain of growing up.
Famous pieces: “She Laughs, He Listens” (the iconic poem with over 40M views), “Shayad”, and his book You Know the Story.
Where to see him: Full-length solo theater tours like Cycle and Alvida, plus videos on Spill Poetry.
- Amandeep Singh (Amandeep Khayal)
Who he is: A former engineer known for his deep, calm voice and slow, emotional storytelling.
What he talks about: Aging parents, leaving home for work, silent sacrifices, and real family moments.
Famous pieces: “Main Karta Dharta Ban Baitha” (about realizing your parents are getting old and you have to step up), “Badi Didi”, and “Chai”.
Where to see him: Touring solo specials like Life Ka Tamasha and Dhak Dhak with Tape A Tale.
- Priya Malik
Who she is: A bilingual poet, actor, and familiar TV face who performs in both Hindi/Urdu and English.
What she talks about: Women’s rights, divorce, modern dating, double standards, and passionate love.
Famous pieces: “2019 Ka Pyaar”, “Mujhe Pyaar Nahi, Ishq Chahiye”, and her poetry book Ishq Na-Manzoor.
Where to see her: Major lit fests, Kommune’s Spoken Fest, and UnErase Poetry videos.
- Ashish Bagrecha
Who he is: A best-selling author and speaker from Surat who talks openly about his own fight with depression.
What he talks about: Anxiety, self-care, grief, and how to survive your hardest days.
Famous pieces: His hit books Dear Stranger, I Know How You Feel and Dear Stranger, You Deserve to Be Loved, plus his poetry collection Love, Hope and Magic.
Where to see him: His popular Spotify podcast (The Ashish Bagrecha Show), books, and mental health talks.
- Nidhi Narwal
Who she is: A performance poet known for simple, poetic lines that hit surprisingly hard.
What she talks about: The pain of moving away, unsaid feelings, quiet goodbyes, and missing someone you can’t be with.
Famous pieces: “Jaana Zaroori Tha”, “Andhera”, and “Tujhko Kya Lagta Hai?”
Where to see her: Regularly on Tape A Tale and live intimate gigs across Indian colleges and theaters.
- Varun Grover
Who he is: A National Award-winning Bollywood writer (Masaan, Sacred Games), director (All India Rank), and stand-up comedian.
What he talks about: 90s childhood nostalgia, Indian school life, middle-class quirks, and clever social commentary.
Famous pieces: His live storytelling special “Padhaai Ke Din”, viral poems like “Kaghaz Nahi Dikhayenge”, and iconic song lyrics like “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage”.
Where to see him: International live comedy tours, movies, and YouTube specials.
- Helly Shah
Who she is: One of the earliest young spoken-word artists to rise through the platform UnErase Poetry.
What she talks about: Body shaming, young adult identity, female friendships, and everyday pressure from family and society.
Famous pieces: “Too Shy To Talk”, “Letter to My Body”, and “The Little Girl”.
Where to see her: UnErase showcases, youth summits, and college festivals across India.