KOCHI: A UAE based Indian businessman has come forward to provide Rs one crore per year for the art extravaganza--Kochi Muziris Biennale, the second edition of which is slated to be held in December this year.
The monetary aid is provided by NRI businessman, T V Narayanan Kutty, who is the Group founder and Chairman of Dubai-headquartered IAL Group, an official statement said, adding, the grant also meant that Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) which organises the biennial event got a long-term patron to support its activities.
The KBF, while hailing the grant, said it sensed the prospect of similar donations from well-wishers. Top officials of the 2010-incepted foundation expressed optimism that long-term overseas funding would soon become a trend for the benefit of the future editions of the biennale.
Speaking at a felicitation function organised by KBF last night, Kutty said his decision to financially back the non-profit organisation came in the wake of the Biennale's emergence as a platform for exchange of cultural and social values that are vital for the betterment of society.
Kutty has also been made as the new patron of the KBF. He also appreciated the efforts taken by artists Bose Krishnamachari and Riyas Komu for the conduct of the Biennale which has risen to fame across the world since its debut in 2012. The 2nd edition is scheduled to start from December 12 this year.
MP K V Thomas felicitated Kutty and said the Kerala government would extend all support to Biennale 2014 which has become one of the most important art festivals across the globe.
State Tourism Secretary, Suman Billa, said the tourism department was single-mindedly supporting the Biennale to transform Kochi into the country's art capital. Renowned artist Jitish Kallat, who is the curator of the 2014 Biennale, said the upcoming edition would not be reflections on Kochi; instead it would mirror an outward view of the old cosmopolitan city.
"We will converse and reach out to the realities of today's world," he said, adding that art students from across the country would participate in the 108-day Biennale 2014 which would also have a film festival.