Pinarayi Vijayan to Inaugurate KMB 2016

KOCHI:
Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) at an evening function here on Monday (12/12/16), 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 Minister for Culture A.K. Balan, Minister for Tourism Shri Kadakampally Surendran and former Minister for Culture M.A. Baby.
Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain will also attend the function as will MLAs Hibi Eden (Ernakulam), K.J. Maxi (Kochi), V.K. Ebrahimkunju (Kalamassery) and V.D. Satheesan (Parur). Also attending are former Kochi Mayor K.J. Sohan, Dr Venu V. Principal Secretary (Tourism), Ernakulam District Collector Mohammed Y. Safirulla K.
Cine icon Mammootty and celebrated author N.S. Madhavan will also be present.
Prior to the inaugural function, a ‘chenda melam’ of 150 percussionists led by Padma Shri 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. Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) President Bose Krishnamachari will deliver the vote of thanks while KBF Secretary Riyas Komu will make the welcome speech.
KBF CEO Manju Sara Rajan will be present as will a host of KBF Trustees and Patrons.
There will be a flag-hoisting at Aspinwall House – the primary venue for KMB 2016 – at 12 pm.