Similar to Kochi-Muziris Biennale, tourists to experience lesser-known aspects of Heritage City

Mysore/Mysuru: The Mysuru District Administration is planning to host Mysuru Biennale, an exhibition set in spaces across city with shows being held in existing galleries, halls, site-specific installations in public squares and heritage buildings. The intention is to celebrate the historic, heritage and at the same time cosmopolitan legacy of Mysuru. 

Though the concept is in planning stage, it has evoked keen interest among tourism stakeholders. Speaking at the meet-the-press organised by Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA) at Patrakarthara Bhavan yesterday, Mysuru DC Rohini Sindhuri said that Mysuru Biennale would be held on the lines of Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Kerala. 

The mega event will focus on a large and diverse range of audience with a common interest to grasp the overall culture of Mysuru. The visitor will get to experience lesser-known narrative and architecture of the city. Proposed to be hosted between November and January, the event aims to promote activities such as, conferences, book launches, workshops, seminars, hands-on learning experiences, she said. 

Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an art expo and festival that is the largest of its kind in South Asia.

In mythology, Muziris was a port city, among the earliest of its kind in the world and when Kerala established itself as a major centre for spice, the ancient port of Muziris emerged as its hub.

Currently, the Muziris Heritage Project is one of the biggest conservation projects in India, where the State and the Centre have come together to conserve a rich culture that is as old as 3,000 years or more. The Kochi Biennale exhibits artworks across a variety of mediums including film, installation, painting, sculpture, new media and performance art and also offers seminars, screenings, music, workshops and educational activities for school children and students.

At Mysuru Biennale, various events, exhibitions and activities are planned to take place is several venues across the city as opposed to Dasara event which are focused within the heart of the city. “Mysuru has a lot of heritage, history and biennale would attract more tourists. We are planning to establish Biennale in Mysuru by linking heritage places and we have identified 12 heritage structures, including structures at University of Mysore, old DC office,” she said. 

The event will utilise the existing cultural resources of the city to create a new experience for the visitor. Hence, expenditure will only be to develop management plans that aid in smooth execution of the event across the city. Currently, an average visitor uses Mysuru as a stop-over location to reach other tourist attractions. Through the Biennial, the average stay period of a visitor can be increased from an overnight stay to about 2-3 days longer.

Planetarium, Science Centre and Democracy Centre

The District Administration has urged Union Finance Minister to establish a planetarium in Mysuru as the place attracts lakhs of tourists every year. “Our plan is to establish a planetarium, Science Centre and Democracy Building, said DC Rohini Sindhuri.
She said that the structures are planned to be established on the lands of University of Mysore (UoM) at foot of Chamundi Hill. “Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was looking for proper place for planetarium and it was planned to establish in Dharwad, but we have asked the Minister to establish the same in Mysuru. A large number of tourists visit Mysuru and we should have planetarium here,” the DC said

The University has 22-acre land and the planetarium, to be constructed using Central funds, has been proposed on a three-acre plot. The Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar has agreed to give the land. A Science Centre has also been proposed besides a Democracy Centre. 

“The Science Centre will come up on seven acre next to planetarium. In addition, Election Commission of India is planning to establish a Democracy Building, she added.

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) organises ‘Aadi Mahotsava’ in New Delhi and a similar event will be planned in Mysuru during Dasara.

The District Administration has planned to establish a unit for the welfare of tribal and 200 acres of land has been identified in Hunsur in the district,    she revealed.