Ocha, Kerala’s largest independent music festival, has wrapped its third edition after expanding to a two-day format for the first time. Conceptualised and organised by Saina Music Indie and Pacayafog, the 2026 outing leaned into a sharper multi-genre identity, pairing a hip-hop-heavy opening day with a techno-led second night.
Day 1 ran as OCHA x Spotify Rap91, spotlighting hip-hop through a 20-artist lineup spanning multiple Indian scenes. The showcase was headlined by Grammy-nominated artist Rajakumari, alongside performances from Asal Kolaar, Thirumali, ARJN KDS, Gabri, Wild Wild Women, MHR, SA, Lil Payyan, Dacalty, among others. Day 2 shifted into electronic music, headlined by Siva Prayojan, closing the weekend with a full-scale techno programme.
Across both days, the festival reported a turnout of nearly 10,000 attendees, reinforcing Ocha’s growing role in Kerala’s independent music circuit. Following the third edition, the festival was also cited by Rolling Stone as the 14th best music festival in India, a milestone the organisers say reflects its widening national visibility.
Positioned as a platform for independent music culture in Kerala, Ocha is built by two entities with distinct strengths: Saina Music Indie, the alternative music and events division of Saina Audio and Video (active across South Indian movies, music and events for over four decades), and Pacayafog, which brings a culture-forward approach to live experiences.
Ocha launched on 22 April 2023 at Le Méridien, billed as one of the state’s earliest large-scale hip-hop-focused festivals, before returning for its second edition at Bolgatty Palace on 19 May 2024, scaling up both programming and footprint.
Reflecting on the latest edition, Aashiq Bava, Founder and CEO of Saina Music Indie, said the response to the festival and its growth over three editions has been “deeply overwhelming”, adding that the move to two days and multiple genres was designed to broaden the audience experience. He noted that the next chapter is planned as a three-day festival, expanding the bill across hip-hop, techno, and rock/pop.
Anto Sunny, Founder and CEO of Pacayafog, described Ocha as an effort to build a platform for music lovers in South India, with lineups that excite audiences while creating meaningful stages for artists, with the longer-term goal of strengthening an ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
With its multi-genre direction now clearer, Ocha’s organisers say the core mission remains unchanged: championing independent music, elevating new voices, and keeping culture at the centre as the festival scales.
