Kochi Corporation pulls out of Biennale

KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation has withdrawn from the Kochi Muziris Biennale, which has been embroiled in controversies. “We have decided not to cooperate with the Kochi Biennale Foundation, which has been entrusted with conducting the biennale,” Mayor Tony Chammany said.He said the decision was taken as the credibility of the foundation is being questioned. “We will extend our cooperation to the Kochi Biennale Foundation only after all controversies are cleared.”Many eminent artists have come out in the open against the foundation. Even the government has sought a report on the functioning of the foundation. The Lalitha Kala Akademi should have been entrusted with matters related to art programmes.The Kerala Government had sought a report from the Culture Secretary on the funding for the Kochi Muziris Biennale and also about the activities of the Kochi Biennale Foundation. Leading artists in the state had called for a Vigilance probe into the granting of crores of rupees to the foundation.The previous LDF government had sanctioned a sum of `73.2 crore for the conduct of the biennale from the Kochi Muziris Project fund. A sum of `5 crore was released to the foundation as initial cost.