Hyderabad’s Phoenix Arena is back with upgraded performance spaces

Phoenix Arena in Hyderabad is back. Once the go-to venue for cultural events in the city’s western corridor, it shut during the pandemic and has now reopened after a major renovation. The upgraded venue features a covered 1,000-seat open-air stage, a new amphitheatre, an indoor auditorium, a podcast studio, library, co-working space, container café, and improved acoustics, lighting and sound systems. While the revamp was carried out in phases, the arena has resumed hosting events over the past few months and is gearing up for its official relaunch in August.

“My dream is to create a permanent home where creativity flourishes and artists receive the infrastructure, recognition and opportunities they deserve,” says Suresh Chukkapalli, chairman of the Phoenix Group of Companies. “We want to bring together artists, performers, creators, NGOs and communities under one roof and build a vibrant cultural hub.”

Indoor auditorium
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Special Arrangement

The space is maintained by the Phoenix Foundation as part of its CSR initiatives on seven acres within the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) park. Its location, surrounded by nearly 300 corporate and technology companies within a two-kilometre radius, makes it well placed to host cultural programming.

Manager Ramesh Mekala describes it as a home for creativity and collaboration. “Whether it’s theatre, music, dance, yoga, workshops, poetry, film screenings, flea markets or community gatherings, there’s a space for every form of cultural expression. It’s also an affordable venue,” he says.

Library – shelves full of books
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Special Arrangement

The revival has been welcomed by the city’s performing arts community. Theatre actor Adla Satish Kumar, who curates traditional rural games, is already planning new programmes at the venue. For Sandeep Tadi of Storyboard Productions, it restores a much-needed creative space.

“We used to hold theatre workshops, rehearsals and even brainstorming sessions here,” he recalls. “In 2023, we staged our Telugu short plays Chal Chal Gurram and Rey Pendi to packed houses.”

Audience waiting for a performance to begin at the open-air venue
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Special Arrangement

The Surabhi theatre group is also returning to Phoenix Arena with Bhakta Prahlada on July 11 and 12, following the successful staging of its mythological production Maya Bazaar in June. Known for its elaborate stagecraft and immersive storytelling, the production made full use of the venue’s expansive 16×40-foot stage, including a moving chariot sequence.

“I was pleasantly surprised to see nearly 600 people attend a ticketed Telugu play,” says Surabhi Jayachandra. “We need more venues like this to take Telugu theatre to newer audiences.”