A view of Aspinwall House, the main venue of the event. (Inset) CM Pinarayi Vijayan and actor Mammootty.Kochi: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) here Monday, launching the largest celebration of contemporary art in South Asia.
The opening ceremony, which begins at 6.30 pm at Parade Ground in Fort Kochi, will see in attendance state culture minister A.K. Balan, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran and former minister for culture M.A. Baby.
Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain will also attend the function as will MLAs Hibi Eden, K.J. Maxi, V.K. Ebrahimkunju and V.D. Satheesan.
Actor Mammootty and celebrated author N.S. Madhavan will also be present, organizers said. Prior to the inaugural function, a 'chenda melam' of 150 percussionists led by Padmashree Peruvanam Kuttan Marar will welcome the dignitaries and public to the venue.
Following the ceremony, there will be a concert by noted singer Suman Sridhar and The Black Mamba. KMB 2016 curator Sudarshan Shetty will outline his vision for the Biennale.
Titled 'Forming in the pupil of an eye', the event will open on December 12 and run for 108 days till March 29.
Highlights of the event
» The art extravaganza to feature creative works by 97 artists from 36 countries
» The artists include writers, dancers, poets, musicians and theatre practitioners along with a host of visual artists from 36 countries.
Read to know more about KMB-2016's curatorial vision
» Curated by eminent artist Sudarshan Shetty
» The main exhibition will be supported by ancillary program of talks, seminars, the Students' Biennale, the Art By Children exhibition, workshops, film screenings and music sessions.
» Main venue in Fort Kochi is Aspinwall House
» Other venues include Pepper House, David Hall, and Durbar Hall
