Stories We Tell – Aao Sunayein Kahani

Stories We Tell, Aao Sunayein Kahani, is an audio/visual storytelling project of The School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) at Beaconhouse National University and the Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF) made possible with the support of the Centre for Culture and Development (CKU).

The art of conversation and storytelling has played a pivotal role in suturing together the cultural fabric of South Asia. Since time immemorial this was how histories were transferred between generations; survival narratives were created and exchanged; and instructional anecdotes to sustain everyday life were passed down.

This act of listening and relating creates collective wisdom and a sense of commonality between classes and across social divides. With public spaces becoming stratified and co-opted by specific classes, the interaction between classes has become limited to spaces where power and class dynamics dictate how stories are shared.

Aao Sunayein Kahani is an effort aimed at bringing conversational storytelling and sharing back to public spaces in the hopes of making the act of experience sharing a democratic one. And by bridging the gap between communities and individuals, cultivating a free exchange of ideas and experiences. This publication explores and documents the themes and stories of Aao Sunayein Kahani.