KMB works extraordinary, impressive and quite moving: Manu S Pillai
Writer and historian Manu S Pillai, a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, visited the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025 (KMB) and described the artworks as “quite extraordinary, very impressive, and quite moving.” He emphasized that the Biennale is best experienced with an open mind—some works may surprise or even intimidate, but the wall notes and context help everything fall into place. Artists admired: - Bhasha Chakrabarti – whose collaborative work connected quilt-makers from Karnataka and Alabama, blending colors, cultures, and stories. - Smitha Babu – a Keralite artist whose work Pillai always enjoys. Venues explored: - Aspinwall House (Coir Godown & Director’s Bungalow) - Bazaar Street and other Biennale spaces Special visitors: A group of 30 IFS officers (2026 batch) also toured the Biennale. They were impressed by the collective effort of sculptors, painters, documentary filmmakers, and multimedia artists working together. Takeaway: The Biennale showcased diverse cultures in one space, offering thought-provoking works that point toward the future of art. It’s clear Manu S Pillai sees the Biennale not just as an exhibition, but as a living dialogue between cultures and mediums.
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