Manorama Hortus

Manorama HORTUS is a multidisciplinary festival of literature and the arts, bringing together writers, artists, thinkers, humanitarians, politicians, sportspersons, entertainers, and audiences across borders. Over four days, the festival unfolds through conversations, readings, performances, exhibitions, workshops, and exchanges that move fluidly across disciplines, inviting us to encounter life up close-in its ideas, stories, and creative expressions.
Tickets: https://www.manoramahortus.com/registration.html

Venue: Subhash Bose Park, Kochi
Manorama Hortus – Balarama Digest Quiz

• Time: 10:00 AM – 02:00 PM

• Venue: Children's Pavilion

• Description: An engaging trivia and problem-solving competition hosted by quizmaster Snehaj Srinivas for students in grades 5 to 7 participating in two-member teams.

• How to Write Funny! Stand-up Comedy Writing Workshop

  • Time: 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM

  • Venue: Hortus Theater

  • Description: A practical comedy writing masterclass led by stand-up comedian Radhika Vaz, focusing on comedic structure, crafting authentic personas, and finding humor in everyday life.

• Comix-R-Us: 2-Day Comic Creation Workshop

  • Time: 11:00 AM – 05:00 PM

  • Venue: Manorama Seminar Hall

  • Description: An immersive graphic narrative workshop led by graphic novelist Appupen, exploring visual storytelling, character development, storyboarding, and panel pacing.

• Venue: Subhash Bose Park & Kerala Fine Arts Society Hall, Kochi

• Pickiest Picnic (Sessions 1 & 2)

  • Time: 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM & 03:00 PM – 05:00 PM

  • Venue: Children's Pavilion

  • Description: An interactive theatre and sensory play experience for children designed around food discovery, curiosity, and taste exploration.

• Hermit Crab's Dream

  • Time: 12:30 PM – 01:30 PM

  • Venue: Children's Pavilion

  • Description: An English theatrical adaptation of a classic Japanese fable following a vulnerable hermit crab's quest to find a new shell and survive the sea.

• Mister Jeejeebhoy and the Birds

  • Time: 05:00 PM – 06:00 PM

  • Venue: Children's Pavilion

  • Description: A playful family theatre presentation bringing to life the whimsical adventure of city dwellers, escaped pet birds, and neighborhood camaraderie.

• Come Eat With Me

  • Time: 06:00 PM – 08:00 PM

  • Venue: Chef Studio

  • Description: A thought-provoking performance piece dissecting the socio-cultural relationships between food, memory, and caste, concluding with a shared community dining experience.

• Belly of the Beast

  • Time: 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM

  • Venue: Kerala Fine Arts Society Hall

  • Description: A critically acclaimed, candid dramatic play written and performed by Kalki Koechlin and Sheena Khalid, tackling the raw, unspoken truths of modern motherhood.

• Untombed

  • Time: 07:00 PM – 08:00 PM

  • Venue: Hortus Theater

  • Description: A solo physical theatre performance by veteran stage artist K. Gopalan alongside Vivek, blending movement, ritual, and deep identity introspection.

• Venue: Subhash Bose Park & Maharaja's College Auditorium, Kochi

• Taste the History of Kochi

  • Time: 12:00 PM – 02:00 PM

  • Venue: Chef Studio

  • Description: A guided gastronomic journey led by historian Bony Thomas, examining Kochi’s cosmopolitan heritage through a tasting curated from 17 to 20 historic dishes.

• The How of Horror: In Pictures and Words (Age 10+)

  • Time: 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM

  • Venue: Children's Pavilion

  • Description: Graphic novelist Nandita Basu and author Adithi Rao demonstrate how to build suspense, atmosphere, and chills through visual art and text.

• Popula Dabba – English Recipe Storytelling

  • Time: 03:00 PM – 05:00 PM

  • Venue: Chef Studio

  • Description: A hands-on culinary storytelling and basic spice chemistry workshop curated to inspire young children in the kitchen.

• Shhh… What Was That? (Age 8+)

  • Time: 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM

  • Venue: Children's Pavilion

  • Description: An acoustic listening and sound-mapping exercise conducted by Mallika Ravikumar to heighten sensory observation skills in kids.

• Podcast Opera

  • Time: 06:00 PM – 07:00 PM

  • Venue: Hortus Theater

  • Description: A minimalist contemporary stage performance by Sajitha Madathil investigating modern digital media, personal stories, and acoustic storytelling.

• Spinal Cord (Malayalam Theatre)

  • Time: 07:00 PM – 09:00 PM

  • Venue: Maharaja's College Auditorium

  • Description: Deepan Sivaraman’s renowned, visually visceral stage production based on Ambikasuthan Mangad’s story about community morality, crime, and retribution.

• Usha Uthup Live in Concert

  • Time: 07:30 PM – 09:00 PM

  • Venue: Kurinji Stage

  • Description: A high-voltage evening of multilingual classics, pop hits, and iconic showmanship by legendary Indian playback singer Usha Uthup.

• Venue: Subhash Bose Park, Kochi

• Clay Play & Story Group Game

  • Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

  • Venue: Children's Pavilion

  • Description: An open creative workshop combining tactile clay sculpting, collaborative world-building, and group narrative games for young participants.

• India A–Z: A Journey of Discovery (Age 8+)

  • Time: 02:00 PM – 03:30 PM

  • Venue: Children's Pavilion

  • Description: An educational, interactive walkthrough celebrating India's rich biodiversity, geographical marvels, and cultural milestones.

• Why We Eat This Fish Today & Culinary Masterclass

  • Time: 03:30 PM – 05:30 PM

  • Venue: Chef Studio

  • Description: A masterclass diving into traditional Malabar coastal cuisine, sustainable fishing wisdom, and authentic coastal seafood recipes.

• Radhika Vaz Live: Stand-up Special

  • Time: 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM

  • Venue: Hortus Theater

  • Description: A biting, uncensored solo comedy performance by Radhika Vaz dissecting societal expectations, relationships, and modern womanhood.