LuLu Group donates Rs 2 crore for Biennale’s 4th edition

Deepening its ties with India’s showpiece contemporary art event, the multi-billion-dollar LuLu Group of Companies, owned by internationally known NRI businessman Yusuff Ali M A, today donated Rs two crore to the fourth edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB), which is scheduled to commence next year-end.

The LuLu Group has forged its association with the KMB with a donation of Rs 50 lakh to the second edition of the Biennale in 2014. Mr. Yusuff Ali, who hails from Nattika in Thrissur district and is the Chairman of Abu Dhabi-headquartered LuLu Group, also donated Rs one crore in 2016 for the third edition of the mega art event.

LuLu Group Director Nishad M A and its Manager, V.Peethambaran, presented the cheque for Rs 2 crore to Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) President Bose Krishnamachari at an event held at Ernakulam Press Club. Also present on the occasion were Lulu Group’s Commercial Manager Sadik Kassim and Media Co-ordinator N B Swaraj and KBF Secretary Riyas Komu.

In his message, Mr. Yusuff Ali said, “I appeal that everyone should help, support and promote this international event that is happening in our state and bringing so many visitors and accolades for Kerala and for our country.

“When the Ruler of Sharjah first landed in Kerala, the desire of His Highness was to meet the organizers of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale which is attracting great attention from all over the world. Before leaving Kerala, His Highness made it a point to meet Mr. Bose Krishnamachari, the President of KBF. On different occasions, while attending international events, I have personally heard people speak very high of our Biennale. The KBF has truly succeeded in giving our present and future generations an international event to be extremely proud of. Personally and on behalf of our Group, I assure my continued support to this great event happening in my Kerala state”.

Lauding the contribution of the Lulu Group, Mr. Krishnamachari said, “We are extremely thankful to Mr. Yusuff Ali for reaffirming his faith in the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. It is a salutary example of industry patronizing an art event that has made India proud in the cultural firmament,”.

It would definitely give an impetus to the sustainability of India’s only Biennale that has garnered acclaim from art connoisseurs and commoners alike, he said, adding: “It is also a testament to the KBF’s expertise to hold a front-ranking contemporary art exhibition that has brought huge social and economic benefits for the state.” he added.

Mr. Komu, who co-founded the KBF with Mr. Krishnamachari and also co-curated the first edition of the Biennale with him, said financial support from the government, industry and people is a prerequisite for holding an event of the magnitude of a Biennale.

“The KBF tremendously appreciates the gesture of Mr. Yusuff Ali, who has emerged as a stellar figure for promoting and patronizing art and culture. Such a gesture underscores his faith and confidence in the robustness of the Biennale and its emergence as a durable art event of great import,” he noted. “It is a productive bonding between art and commerce.” 

Earlier in March this year, the Kerala government announced that it would sanction a working fund of Rs two crore for the upcoming Biennale and also allocate five acres of land to set up a permanent venue for the KMB in recognition of its impact in popularising art.

Anita Dube, a contemporary artist, is to curate the fourth edition of the KMB, which begins in December 2018. She takes over from Sudarshan Shetty, who during his stint as curator of the Biennale’s third edition, got 97 artists from 31 countries to showcase their works.