Shaguna VN Gahilote is a master oral storyteller, author and co-curator of Kathakar – International Storytellers Festival. She performs stories on Indian mythology, folktales, and tales from around the world and commissions stories on the life of well-known personalities with wit and humour. She co-authored the books, Curious Tales from the Himalayas and Curious Tales from the Desert published by Penguin Random House. Her hobby of telling tall tales to her newborn nephew over two decades ago found a calling and she has since been telling tales and performing on stage regularly. Shaguna did her Master' degree, from the University of Bristol, UK  but returned to India to work on conserving rare and dying folk art forms.

She has worked as an education, peace and culture specialist with organisations like INTACH, UNESCO, British Council, Medecin Sans Frontieres and the Embassy of Belgium and helms Ghummakkad Narain - the Travelling Literature festival.