A group of artists in the state are up in arms against the State Government move to release further assistance to the Kochi Muziris Biennale despite the government initiating a Vigilance probe into the charges of misappropriation of government funds by the Kochi Biennale Foundation.
The artists had raised their protest after the issue of providing more financial assistance to the biennale came up in the Assembly on Thursday.
A number of MLAs and even the Opposition had demanded further assistance for the biennale stating that it was a great art event happening in the state. Coming down heavily on the government for its alleged move to provide further assistance, noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman stated that it was against the democratic system.
“It is not fair on the part of the government to provide further assistance to a foundation against which it had initiated a Vigilance inquiry,” he told Express.
“Contrary to the earlier decision to not cooperate with the biennale, the government is now moving ahead with giving assistance,” Kanayi Kunhiraman said and alleged that the ‘art mafia’ was spreading its wings in the state, which was not a good trend.
Stating that the artists in the state were not against conducting the biennale, Kunhiraman asked the government to come forward to provide assistance to young artists in the state.
“Instead of helping the poor artists who had spent their entire life in this field and now finding it hard to earn a livelihood, the government was wasting money on the rich to make them wealthier,” he said.
Veteran painter and sculptor M V Devan also lashed out against the alleged move and questioned the credibility of the government.
“The government had earlier said that it would not participate in the biennale and would not provide any further financial assistance.
However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph and others were present at the inaugural function of the biennale. And now they are going to provide further money of the tax payers. What credibility does the government have?” he asked.
“It is the height of absurdity. The tax payers’ money is being looted,” Devan told Express. Lantern Association (a group of artists) secretary G Ajith Kumar also said that it was against the democratic system. “If the government provides further financial assistance, it would create a wrong precedent. Instead of going ahead with the investigation as announced, the government is going to provide more assistance, which is paradoxical,” he said.
Stating that the government was unnecessarily helping a private trust, Ajith said it would only lead to legal tangles.
“We will move the court if the government gives further assistance to the foundation,” he said and also questioned the rationale behind the alleged move. Meanwhile, Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph said that the proposal of the MLAs would be presented in the Cabinet.
“Several MLAs and even the Opposition had demanded further assistance for the biennale as it was one of the greatest events.
“I cannot in any individual capacity say that the financial assistance will be provided. The Cabinet can only decide whether assistance should be provided or not,” the Minister said. When asked if the next Cabinet will take upthe issue, he said that it was not yet decided.