'KMB popularity much to setting in unique cultural envi'nment'

: The strength and popularity of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB) owes much to its setting in the unique cultural environment and geographical contours of the host city, according toHari Ranjan Rao, Tourism Secretary of Madhya Pradesh.
Rao led a team of high-profile officials from MP Tourism that visited Aspinwall House, the main venue of the Biennale on Tuesday evening.
He said the 108-day event had emerged as a major attraction for both art aficionados and laypersons alike, a KMB release said here today.
"Kochi has its own charm and unique cultural ethos. We cannot duplicate the Biennale in any other part of India. Moreover, getting artists from across the globe to contribute and showcasing their works in one place is a great achievement," said Rao.

He said the Biennale is today one of the state's major tourist and cultural attractions.
Describing KMB as a magical space that freed visitors from their worries and gave them the freedom to think creatively,he said "Art appreciation is only possible if you are away from all routine stuffs. This space has the power to free visitors from all other thoughts."

Tanvi Sundriyal, Additional Managing Director, MP Tourism, said she was especially impressed by the lively atmosphere and opportunity to indulge in debate.
"This place reminds me of my college where we used to discuss poems and arts and debate over and over. The Biennale is a space which energises anybody and everybody," she said.

V T Balram, MLA, also visited the KMB main venue on Tuesday.
"India's only Biennale is a cultural pathway to popularise Kochi to the foreign countries," he said.
"Art appreciation is a unique quality and the Biennale attracts visitors because it offers them an opportunity to indulge their interest in art.'
"The Biennale is a big boost to the cultural sector of India in general and Kerala, specifically,"Balram noted.