In Alappuzha, “Lokame Tharavadu” art show is expected to take its tourism to better heights

Friday, April 23, 2021

In Alappuzha, “Lokame Tharavadu”, an important contemporary art show of this region, featuring 267 artists and over 3,000 art works like assemblages and installations that kick-started last week, has the possibility to transform the dynamics of cultural tourism, as per the tourism stakeholders and planners.

The show curated by artist Bose Krishnamachari. It’s organized by the Kochi Biennale Foundation. Kochi Biennale Foundation also hosts the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, is also a celebration of the heritage of Alappuzha. Here, Alappuzha Heritage Projects has planned string of museums under the guidance of Muziris Heritage and funded by Kerala Tourism.

From Saturday, this event will be held at five different venues. Now, it will be opened for public, but under the stringent Covid protocols.

Additional Chief Secretary, Cultural Affairs, Planning and Economic Affairs, V. Venu, explained that for many reasons, this project can become a major game changer as it extends the footprint of Alappuzha as a destination.

To quote Venu, “For the tourism industry, it spotlights the destination in an entirely different perspective. For the tourists, Alappuzha was always a boarding point, a backwater destination, houseboat destination and most importantly, an excursion destination. This event makes a very compelling pitch to use Alappuzha as a destination not merely for a houseboat cruise, but to stay back to spend a night or two at the destination absorbing its culture and history.”

Alappuzha is frequently mentioned as the Venice of the East.

“The event also puts the spotlight on the built heritage of the city, on its by lanes and many bridges and the quaint precincts where the event is being held, revealing the many layers of Alappuzha’s history and its rich cultural interface. I believe that the event would become a catalyst through which we will see Alappuzha re-branding itself and re-positioning itself as a destination worth more than a cruise. From a cultural point of view, this is a great example of adaptive re-use. We are only starting to do this,” added Venu.

Conservation architect Benny Kuriakose mentioned that they have identified the ambitious project. It would help to conserve the built heritage of Alappuzha for the future generations.

“We also thought there is great educational value in these spaces which served as coir factories and warehouses. These are nothing but attempts to tell stories from our past and the linkages of the place with the maritime trade,” said Kuriakose.

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