ThekkIndian: Attend South India's First Afro Dance Festival In Kochi

Circa 2012 - 2013, I spent more time at shady little place called Leather Lounge on MG Road in Pune than I did at my own apartment. It was the FIFA World Cup season, and we’d gather at the lounge watching matches on the big screen over hookahs and appetizers. It was either that or the 'afro nights' on Wednesdays & Fridays in the club right above where hits by Fuse ODG, Iyanya, D’banj, and Timaya blasted till the AM. And while I was knee deep the gig culture tracking international techno artists across venues in the city, nothing quite compared to those Wednesday nights.

This infectious joy of Afrobeats is something that has made it into a global phenomenon. The origins of Afrobeats can be traced back to the work of Fela Kuti, who pioneered the genre in the 1960s and 1970s, blending West African rhythms with jazz, funk, and highlife. Within a few decades, the genre started dominating charts, clubs, and festivals around the world. What began as a mix of West African rhythms, hip-hop, and dancehall soon became one of the biggest musical movements of our time. Artists like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Rema helped carry that sound into the mainstream space.

As a nod to the same, the ThekkIndian Afro Festival at Cherai Beach, Kochi, is bringing together dance, music, and culture in a way that’s never been done before in South India. Curated by three deeply passionate dance communities: Sapiens.Movement (Kerala), KOFI Tribe (Chennai), and Afrodancers India (Bengaluru), the festival aims to celebrate afro culture in all its expressions.

At its core, the festival is about shared histories and rhythmical kinship. “We can easily resonate South Indian culture with African culture in many aspects,” says Earnest Ignus Paul, a choreographer and one of the festival’s organisers. That spirit of connection is what drives the festival’s mission — building a safe, inclusive space where people can learn, share, and most importantly, move.

Over two days, the event will host workshops taught by international artists such as Ghana’s Champion Rolie and Amaleya Osei, diving deep into dance forms like Azonto and other traditional West African styles. These will be balanced by sessions led by Indian Afro dancers like Ryan Martyr and the Afrontal crew, who’ve spent years shaping and nurturing Afro dance in India.

Live performances by bands playing traditional African instruments, Afrobeats vocalists from Kerala, powerhouse dance crews from across South India, dance battles ranging from Afrostyle to Hip-Hop, an African-themed fashion show, and even a Malayalam Song Battle can be expected at the festival.

ThekkIndian is a first-of-its-kind space for the African diaspora living in India to feel seen, heard, and cherished. Through music dance and fashion, the festival brings together a wide spectrum of African and Afro-inspired expression. Rooted in rhythm, culture, and community, it aims to realise the influence and impact African culture has had in India in the way that has never been done before.

This one-of-a-kind Afro Dance Fest is taking place at Cherai Beach in Kochi on May 31 & June 1.

Get your passes here.

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