KOCHI: Anoop (Antony) Scaria, the founder of Kashi Art Cafe, who pioneered the gallery culture in Kochi and paved the way for the city emerging as a hub for art galleries, passed away on Saturday. He was 58. Kashi Art Cafe-established in 1997-set in a restored Dutch Heritage house on Burgher Street near the Fort Kochi beach is perhaps the first in Kerala which served as an art gallery-cum-cafe.
"At a time when artists from Kerala were struggling to make ends meet, Kashi Art Cafe helped in acting as a platform for their work to be exhibited in Mumbai and Delhi. While several works by leading Indian and international artists were exhibited in Kerala through Kashi," said Bonny Thomas, illustrator and cartoonist.
In a Facebook post, artist Abul Kalam Azad Pattanam said it was Anoop's dream to make Kochi an art hub, and he had worked tirelessly to make that a reality. According to Abul's blog, Anoop was also among the original group of three youngsters who first drew up plans in 1984 for the Cochin Carnival, which is now an annual New Year celebration.
"During his younger days, he was passionate about acting and directing, and he wanted to make a movie on John Abraham. He even did a script. But, at that time, we didn't have the financial resources and his efforts to raise money for the same didn't materialise. After Kashi Art Cafe, there was money, but somehow he couldn't pursue his dream. He did make a couple of short movies, however," he said.
About 6 years ago, Anoop sold Kashi Art Cafe to Edgar Pinto of Fort Kochi.
He is survived by wife Dorrie, an American citizen, and two sons.