Kochi set for four-day cultural extravaganza as Manorama Hortus begins today

Kochi: The second edition of Hortus, Malayala Manorama’s flagship arts and literature festival, will kick off at 10 am on Thursday. The four-day event, concluding on November 30, will be held at Subhash Park and Rajendra Maidan. With preparations in full swing, the festival is set to be one of Kerala’s biggest cultural gatherings, featuring over 400 national and international participants across more than 225 sessions on seven stages.

The formal inauguration will be at 6 pm in Rajendra Maidan, where actor Mammootty will officially open the celebrations. The grand finale on November 30 will feature actor Mohanlal as the chief guest. He will also announce the dates for the next edition. Actor Kamal Haasan will headline a special conversation during the fest.

Evening events will include a wide range of performances. After the inauguration, visitors can experience Mammoottykkathal—a light-and-sound tribute to the actor—followed by a musical performance of songs associated with him. Other major attractions include a French contemporary dance show, the classic play Ubu Roi, a concert by the folk-rock band Indian Ocean, and a musical tribute to K J Yesudas.

Hortus will also offer several interactive and hands-on activities. A dedicated children’s pavilion will host day-long programmes, while workshops—including an acting workshop led by Roshan Mathew—will give participants practical learning opportunities. A film festival featuring nine short films from the Berlinale and a “Chef Studio” exploring future food trends will add more layers to the experience.

Visitors can also try nature journaling, the Map the Wild board game, and video game writing sessions. The Hortus Bazaar will showcase traditional construction methods and cultural crafts. A major addition this year is the Human Library, being introduced for the first time at an Indian literature festival.

The Hortus Bookstore, inaugurated by writer C Radhakrishnan, will feature thousands of bestsellers and new releases. The festival will also host the finale of Padayatra (Word Journey), a statewide initiative to collect indigenous Malayalam words. The final word will be presented by scholar M Leelavathi on Wednesday evening.

With free entry through a simple registration, Hortus aims to remain open and accessible to all. As Kochi gears up for four days of ideas, stories, art, and performances, the festival promises a vibrant and immersive experience for every visitor.

Register at: https://www.manoramahortus.com/registration.html

Hortus reels contest: 
Onmanorama is inviting festival-goers to turn their experience into a creative one-minute reel. The Hortus Reels Contest, open exclusively to visitors at the venue, celebrates the festival’s rich mix of literature, conversation, performance and artistic expression.