Kochi Theatre Festival

About this place

The inaugural Kochi Theatre Festival was a performing-arts festival held from March 21 to 25, 2026, at the Chavara Cultural Centre in Kochi, Kerala, bringing together theatre, cinema screenings, and discussions as part of a cultural tribute to Malayalam actor and playwright P. J. Antony. The festival was organised in connection with the birth centenary of P. J. Antony, whose contribution to Malayalam theatre and cinema has given him an important place in Kerala’s performing-arts history. The event was jointly organised by the cooperative enterprise Samooh and theatre collective Lokadharmi, in association with the Chavara Cultural Centre, creating a dedicated platform for audiences and artists interested in theatre and related forms of cultural expression. Contemporary reporting from The Hindu confirms that the festival was conceived as a tribute to P. J. Antony and was held at the Chavara Cultural Centre in Kochi, while later coverage of the event reported that the first edition concluded after five days of performances and related programmes. (thehindu.com) The festival programme extended beyond stage productions and included film screenings and discussions, reflecting the close relationship between theatre and cinema in Kerala’s cultural history. The film programme included works such as Nirmalyam, Medea, and Throne of Blood, while the theatre schedule featured productions including Tamasha, Koo-Hoo, and Porattu. These screenings and performances gave visitors an opportunity to experience different approaches to storytelling, stagecraft, acting, adaptation, and visual narrative within a single cultural programme. Daily conversations and discussions further expanded the festival beyond performances by providing space for engagement with subjects connected to theatre and cinema. According to the published programme information, film screenings were scheduled in the Library Hall on the first floor, while theatre performances took place in the Theatre on the fifth floor, creating separate spaces for the festival’s cinematic and stage components. The event was therefore structured as more than a conventional theatre showcase, combining live performance, cinema appreciation, and conversations about the performing arts. The connection with P. J. Antony was particularly significant because his career crossed both theatre and Malayalam cinema, making his centenary an appropriate occasion for a festival that brought these two artistic forms together. Contemporary coverage described the event as an effort to remember and celebrate his contribution through performances, screenings, and conversations, while also providing a platform for contemporary theatre practitioners. (thehindu.com) The first Kochi Theatre Festival also added to Kochi’s cultural calendar by creating a dedicated theatre-focused programme in a city with an active network of cultural institutions and performing-arts organisations. Its location at the Chavara Cultural Centre made the festival accessible to audiences interested in Malayalam theatre, Indian cinema, cultural heritage, and contemporary stage performance. Reports following the festival described the conclusion of its inaugural edition and noted the participation of theatre groups and audiences, demonstrating the public interest generated by the event. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) As the inaugural edition took place in March 2026, those dates are historical rather than an upcoming schedule. Information about future editions, participating theatre groups, programme selection, performance timings, and entry arrangements should be confirmed through the organisers or Chavara Cultural Centre when officially announced.

🚆 Nearest Railway: Ernakulam Junction Railway Station / Ernakulam Town Railway Station

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport (~25–30 km)

🚌 Bus: KSRTC Bus Stand, Ernakulam / Kaloor Bus Stop / Local City Bus Routes

🏨 Stay: Casino Hotel, Ibis Kochi City Centre, Olive Downtown, Grand Hotel Kochi

✅ Notes: Usually hosted at theatres, cultural auditoriums, and heritage art venues across Kochi.