Bose Krishnamachari quit Kochi Biennale following sexual harassment allegation, says foundation

Artist-curator Bose Krishnamachari resigned from the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) in connection with a sexual harassment complaint, it has emerged. V. Venu, chairperson of KBF, has confirmed that the foundation had received a complaint against Mr. Krishnamachari from a woman who had worked under him.

“Mr. Krishnamachari’s resignation was connected with the complaint and the KBF’s Internal Committee formed under the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is taking action on the complaint,” Mr. Venu told The Hindu on Wednesday (March 25, 2026). Mr. Venu said, however, there was no police complaint relating to the incident yet.

Mr. Krishnamachari was not available for comments on the allegations though he has reportedly refuted the charges and initiated legal action.

Mr. Krishnamachari, who was a co-founder of the Kochi Muziris Biennale, and president of KBF and member, Board of Trustees of KBF, resigned from the posts in January, citing “pressing family reasons”. His decision to step down from the organisation amid the ongoing edition of the Biennale had caused shock among the artistic circles and triggered speculations.

Mr. Krishnamachari was recently appointed the Cultural Curator of the Kochi city as part of a project initiated by the Kochi Municipal Corporation.

Mr. Krishnamachari served as the co-curator of the maiden edition of the biennale, along with artist Riyas Komu, in 2012. In 2018, Mr. Komu had to resign from all management positions linked with the biennale following allegations of sexual misconduct.