KOCHI: The
spirit of the Kochi Muziris Biennale (KMB) was at its peak on Friday evening
when amid heavy showers, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy officially
inaugurated the 108-day long festival. Muziris Biennale is an international
exhibition of contemporary art held in Kochi, Kerala.
The evening began with a two-hour traditional
ensemble featuring 305 artistes playing ethnic drums, cymbals, pipes and horns.
In the middle of their performance it began to drizzle, which was followed by a
slow and continuous rain. Yet the guests remained seated and watched the
performance under umbrellas.
However, when the Chief Minister along with a few
other dignitaries arrived, heavy showers lashed the venue, but they all chose
to speak about the second edition of the art festival, braving the rain.
"Kerala has of late become a major gateway of
arts for the whole world," said Chandy.
"Each artwork at the biennale is a wonder in
itself," he added.
The Chief Minister also said that the state
government was considering giving the KMB grants more than the Rs. 2 crore
which they had provided for in this edition.
Kerala Culture Minister KC Joseph ended the
ceremony on a lighter note saying "we began with rain, will will end with
a thunder".
Titled "Whorled Explorations", this
edition has been curated by Mumbai-based artist Jitish Kallt who has delved
with the theme of astronomical spaces and maritime history of the port city to
merge its historical past with a mystical future.
