The 175th edition of the Kochi Biennale Foundation’s Arts and Medicine programme at Ernakulam General Hospital turned sour with the youth wing of the Kerala Congress (M), Kerala Youth Front (M), usurping the platform and turning it into a political event of sorts to the dismay of the organisers.
“We were told a few days ago that K.M. Mani, P.J. Joseph, MLAs; and Jose K. Mani, MP; would like to attend this week’s edition of the Arts and Medicine event. They would cut a cake and distribute it among the patients. We agreed to it, as so many political leaders had graced the event in the past in solidarity with the patients of the hospital,” said Bonny Thomas, coordinator of the programme done in collaboration with Mehboob Memorial Orchestra.
Almost an hour into the programme, when Jose K. Mani arrived, he was invited by Mr. Thomas to the stage and requested to speak a few words. “But what happened was rather shocking. A band of Kerala Youth Front leaders took to the stage and despite my repeated requests not to crowd the makeshift platform, they refused to leave. In the meantime, one of them snatched the mike from me and started speaking. I repeatedly objected to making it a political platform and when they paid no attention, I boycotted the stage in protest,” said Mr. Thomas.
Then they sliced the cake, distributed it among their workers and left. What was meant to be a Ramadan special musical morning had turned awry, rues Mr. Thomas. Jose K. Mani, however, said that it was the inception day of Youth Front and the Biennale Foundation had been informed about it. “We did not use the platform politically, but gathered there to cut the cake. We spoke briefly and left to serve lunch to poor patients. The Youth Front’s meeting was held at another place,” he said.
The weekly Arts and Medicine programme, designed by the Cleveland Clinic’s Global Arts and Medicine Institute, and running successfully at Ernakulam General Hospital on Wednesdays, has brought cheer to patients of the hospital.
