TRAVELLER: Kerala takes the art route: Kochi-Muziris Biennale will feature 80 international & Indian artists

PUBLISHED: 15:42 EST, 24 October 2012 | UPDATED: 17:34 EST, 24 October 2012

How about a slice of Venice in India? Probably not the pretty gondolas and the eerie sinking feeling.

But the art and culture that Venezia is also famous for. Based on the Venice Biennale, for the first time in India beginning on December 12, Kerala will showcase contemporary art in spaces across and around Kochi.

The three-month long Kochi-Muziris Biennale will feature site specific works at the Cochin Club, Durbar Hall in downtown Kochi, pepper house on the waterfront and the Aspinwall House near Mattancherry. But that's not all. Muziris as a place does not exist today.

Stroll along the fort Kochi beach during sunset after you soak in the works showcased at the nearby Pepper house

On the grounds of this 19th century Cochin Club, the Kochi-Muziris Blennale Foundation will install few paintings

It was once a port that got buried after the River Periyar flooded in the 14th century.

Its ruins have been found near Kodungallur, 29 km north-west of Kochi. Picking on this history strand, sculptures will be placed in public spaces in Kodungallur.

Adding to this is Bose Krishnamachari, co-founder of Kochi- Muziris Biennale Foundation.

"The cosmopolitan legacy and cultural diversity of Kochi and historic relevance of Muziris have both challenged and inspired the artists," says Krishnamachari.

"About 40 artists have already visited the sites and some of them are due for a re-visit to finalise their projects. Indian artists such as Atul Dodiya, Subodh Gupta, Vivan Sundaram, Sudarshan Shetty, Ranbir Kaleka, Anita Dube and international artists such as Jonas Staal, Rigo23, Joseph Semah, Amanullah Mojadidi and Ernesto Neto are already working on their projects," adds Krishnamachari.

"Around this art show, an eclectic mix of cultural events, seminars, workshops and communityengagement programmes have been planned spread across the three months.

The yearly carnival in Fort Kochi is going to be grander this year," points out Riyaz Komu, painter and director of programmes.

This art and culture extravaganza has got plenty interested. "Kochi-Muziris Biennale is a welcome step as it adds to tourism sector, which until now was only known for its nature, backwaters and Ayurveda.

The biennale will host 80 artists with nearly 50 percent foreign artists," says Surinder Singh Sodhi, Senior Vice President, Thomas Cook.

Karan Anand, Head of relationships, Cox & Kings, shares Sodhi's sense of elation.

"The awareness about the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is only just building up. With the right promotions and awareness generating activities, we expect a rise of at least 10-15 per cent during the period December – January," says Anand.

Agreeing with Anand is Neelu Singh, COO, Ezeego1 "This will not only add another dimension to the tourism in Kerala but it will also help Kerala position itself as an art-cultural hub as well. We at Ezeego1.com have seen an increase of almost 15-18% in the bookings this year for December-January," says Singh.

"Kochi and Muziris have beautiful places to boast of such as Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town and Fort Kochi Area, St. Francis Church - the oldest European Church in India," adds Sodhi.

And there's more. "Kodungallur is literally the cradle of several religions. This is the port where the apostle St Thomas landed. It is also the site of Cheraman Mosque, the first Muslim house of worship in India. In addition, it houses a famous Hindu temple, dedicated to the goddess Bhagavathy," elaborates Anand.

The Biennale only adds another dimension to the already popular destination - Kerala. Soak in the art after you get a relaxing massage.