“Mr. Krishnamachari’s resignation was connected with the complaint and the KBF’s Internal Committee is taking action on the complaint,” stated V. Venu, confirming the resignation of Bose Krishnamachari from the Kochi Biennale Foundation.
On January 3, 2026, Krishnamachari stepped down following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a woman who had previously worked under him. The alleged incident occurred on December 28, 2025, and the complaint was received by the Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
In response to the allegations, Krishnamachari asserted, “The allegations were misleading and unsubstantiated and taken out of context.” He has since initiated legal action to refute the claims against him.
The complainant expressed her distress, stating, “She felt trapped and violated and had at no point given her consent to physical contact or remarks or advances.”
V. Venu elaborated on the situation, noting, “A complaint was received with the Internal Complaints Committee under the PoSH Act… This was in December.” The committee is currently investigating the matter.
Despite the serious nature of the complaint, it is important to note that there was no police complaint related to the incident at the time of Krishnamachari’s resignation.
Krishnamachari, a co-founder of the Kochi Muziris Biennale, had previously served as co-curator of its inaugural edition in 2012. His contributions to the art community have been significant, but this incident has cast a shadow over his legacy.
Following his resignation, Krishnamachari was appointed as the Cultural Curator of Kochi, indicating that his influence in the art scene continues despite the controversy.
The sixth edition of the Biennale, which opened on December 12, 2025, will run until January 31, 2026, and it remains to be seen how this situation will impact the event.
Details remain unconfirmed.
