Jose Thomas Performing Arts Centre (JT Pac)

A World-Class Cultural Hub - Jose Thomas Performing Arts Centre (JT Pac), Tripunithura

The Jose Thomas Performing Arts Centre, popularly known as JT Pac, stands as a distinguished performing arts venue in Tripunithura, Kochi, Kerala. Established in early 2009, it embodies a visionary fusion of culture, artistry & technical excellence.

Origins & Ownership: A Collaborative Vision

JT Pac was founded and inaugurated on 26 February 2009, a joint venture by acclaimed Malayalam actor Mohanlal, who holds the title of Chairman, and Jose Thomas, Chairman of the Choice Group and serving as President of the centre | Wikipedia | The New Indian Express | FilmiBeat. The partnership was a heartfelt mission to preserve & propel India’s rich performing arts traditions. Mohanlal’s stature in cinema and culture greatly bolstered JT Pac’s prestige, while Jose Thomas brought in institutional support through the Choice Group.

The centre is nestled within the Choice School campus in Nadama East, Tripunithura — a strategic location that emphasizes the synergy between education & cultural enrichment | The Choice School.

Architectural & Technical Excellence: International Standards at Heart

The theatre hall boasts a capacity of approximately 700 seats, carefully designed to ensure clear sightlines and immersive views from every vantage point | JT PAC | www.slideshare.net | The Times of India. Acoustics, lighting & overall auditorium ergonomics were developed in consultation with international experts, placing the venue on par with global performing arts spaces.

Beyond seating, JT Pac features a spacious, air-conditioned lobby, cafeteria area, and generous parking facilities — all contributing to a visitor experience comparable to world-class standards Live Your City. The in-house team includes expert sound & lighting engineers, ensuring technical precision and smooth execution for every performance.

Cultural Mission & Artistic Ecosystem

JT Pac is envisioned as an “art habitat” — a thriving ecosystem where performing arts can be preserved, nurtured, propagated & celebrated. The founders placed emphasis on balancing traditional Indian art forms with transcultural experiences, offering a multicentric cultural stage that showcases local and global art.

The centre serves as a platform for established maestros and emerging talents alike, fostering workshops, scholarships & interactive programmes. The plan included not only local artists but also collaborations with global art centres, to elevate Kochi as a destination for world-class theatre, dance & music.

Its status as the only “star member” of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) in the region further underscores its international recognition and alignment with elite performing arts standards.

Notable Performances & Cultural Contributions

From the outset, the inaugural performance featured “The Rhyme” by Soorya Krishnamoorthy as the first artistic showcase. Over the years, JT Pac has hosted a rich variety of luminaries, including Pankaj Udhas, Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and actor Naseeruddin Shah, among others.

In 2012, it organized a four-day dance festival titled Parampara, featuring dancers like Padma Shri awardees Madhavi Mudgal, Bharati Shivaji, Saswati Sen & Rama Vaidyanathan.

Beyond performances, JT Pac has also served community roles, such as hosting state-level CBSE top-per student felicitation events, with Mohanlal in attendance, emphasizing its educational & cultural integration |  Deccan Chronicle.

A Cultural Landmark in Tripunithura

Tripunithura, known as Raja Nagari or the royal city, is steeped in Kerala’s arts heritage — traditional performance forms like Carnatic music, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and percussion arts such as mridangam and chenda thrive here. In this heritage-rich milieu, JT Pac further consolidates the town’s reputation by offering a modern, technically sophisticated venue that honors tradition while embracing contemporary performance standards.

In short, the Jose Thomas Performing Arts Centre (JT Pac) in Tripunithura is a landmark institution that blends visionary leadership, technical mastery & cultural stewardship. Founded by Mohanlal (Chairman) and Jose Thomas (President), it offers a 700-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art acoustic & lighting design, crafted with international expertise. The centre functions not merely as a performance venue but as an artistic ecosystem, supporting workshops, scholarly work, scholarships & diverse cultural events. As the only star member of the International Society for the Performing Arts in South India, JT Pac stands at the forefront of the region's performing arts landscape. Its programming reflects an inclusive, pan-Indian & global outlook — from Indian classical luminaries to fusion concerts — all housed within a heritage-rich cultural terrain that Tripunithura has long embodied.

At once a sanctuary for artists and a world-class platform for audiences, JT Pac continues to inspire, educate & elevate Kerala’s cultural scene, setting global benchmarks for how tradition and modernity can harmoniously coexist in performance arts.

Payment Methods

💳 Payment Methods Accepted: 

• Cash, Credit & Debit Cards, UPI, Net Banking, Digital Wallets (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.).

Service Locations

• Tripunithura, Kochi, Ernakulam district & surrounding regions of Kerala, with audiences visiting from across India & abroad.