Exchange stories with strangers at this interactive session in Vile Parle

Participants chat with each other during a previous session

It's giving main character!" This common Gen Z statement that pops up in daily conversations is one of this writer's favourite lines. It highlights moments in your life when you feel like a character from a book or a movie, around whom the entire world seemingly revolves. It often makes this writer wonder: Isn't every day of our life exactly that? It is common to compare human lives with books, and marvel at any occurrence that feels slightly unusual or larger than life. So, do human lives inspire fiction, or is it vice versa? We believe it goes both ways.

The organisers will provide prompts to initiate conversations

Coming to the city this weekend is Bengaluru's popular Human Library, where instead of borrowing books, you can borrow people and their memories. Everyone has a story, and no, you don't always need storytelling skills to tell yours. Sometimes, raw and unscripted conversations make for the most promising stories. Karishma Joshi, event manager of Bengaluru-based Small Talk that is hosting Human Library in Mumbai, agrees. "The people who attend these events aren't necessarily those who have experienced the extremes of life.

There are also people living simple lives, but still have interesting stories to tell, nonetheless," she says. Joshi, who is in charge of planning events in Pune and Mumbai for the library, tells us that this is their second Human Library event in the city. "The first one was on September 23. We usually host up to 15 people, depending on the venue. Human Library is one of our flagship events, which was first hosted in Bengaluru by founder Saurav Aarya. Most of our events are focussed on ways to enhance the human bond via raw conversations," the 20-year-old shares, adding that their events include speed dating, chai dates, connecting over board games, and other seasonal activities like the ongoing dandiya date.

Karishma Joshi

"Sometimes, stories take an intense turn, but always end with heart-warming notes from participants. One time, a guy, who was an orphan and was raised by his aunt and uncle, opened up about how he had a difficult childhood. When he grew up, he rediscovered the meaning of life by travelling. He said that he hasn't completely healed, but now at least he knows how to," Joshi recalls.

During the one-and-a-half-hour session, Joshi will share nearly 50 prompts, some of which include prompts as thought-provoking as a pivotal moment that changed your perspective on life, and other casual ones like if you could invite anyone in the world for dinner, who would it be. "Not everyone is a natural storyteller. People take time to open up. These prompts help initiate conversations and exchange stories. These events always end with a life lesson learnt from another real human being. After all, humans help humans grow," Joshi sings off.

On: September 30; 12.30 pm
At: Locomo Hostel, second floor, Krishna Villa, Monghibai Road, Vile Parle East.
Log on to: @small.world; in.bookmyshow.com (for registration)
Call: 8668897227 (for enquiries)
Entry: Rs 99