“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 circumstances surrounding the resignation of Bose Krishnamachari from the Kochi Biennale Foundation on January 3, 2026.
The resignation follows a sexual harassment complaint filed by a woman who had worked under Krishnamachari, alleging that the incident took place on December 28, 2025. The complaint was received by the Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
In a statement, Krishnamachari cited family reasons for his departure from the foundation, yet he has refuted the charges, claiming that “the allegations were misleading and unsubstantiated and taken out of context.” His legal team has initiated action against the complaint.
The unnamed 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.” This highlights the serious nature of the allegations and the impact they have had on the individuals involved.
V. Venu, who has been closely associated with the Kochi Biennale, emphasized the foundation’s commitment to addressing such complaints seriously, noting, “A complaint was received with the Internal Complaints Committee under the PoSH Act… This was in December.”
Krishnamachari, a co-founder of the Kochi Muziris Biennale, has played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of Kochi, serving as co-curator of its first edition in 2012. His contributions to the arts have been widely recognized, making this incident particularly impactful.
Despite the resignation, Krishnamachari has been appointed as the Cultural Curator of Kochi, indicating that his influence in the art community may continue, albeit in a different capacity.
As of now, there has been no police complaint related to the incident at the time of his resignation, leaving some details surrounding the case unconfirmed. The sixth edition of the Biennale, which opened on December 12, 2025, continues to unfold amidst these developments.
The art community watches closely as the Kochi Biennale Foundation navigates this complex situation, balancing the need for accountability with the rights of the accused.
