Artist M.I.A's creative mandate spans music, fine art, fashion, film and political activism, which makes her opening performance at the country's Kochi-Muziris Biennale, set to kick off today in Kerela, seem oddly enticing. Coupled with the fact she's of Tamil descent, quite famous and it's her first gig in India.
The Paper Planes star is the headlining act at the opening day festivities on December 12, treating people interested in art and culture alike to what will hopefully be one of her trademark performances — the sort that made M.I.A. an underground statement at clubs and fashion shows in Britain.
Sitting down for a KMB Let's Talk interview during a recent recce trip to Kochi, M.I.A (born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) reveals a surprising Kerela connection.
"The first cheque I ever got as a musician I used to come to Kerala and shoot the video for Sunshowers. I invested time here and made a connection. And India's always been an important backdrop to the work I've done."
M.I.A admits she was particularly interested in a cause that would draw eyeballs to a large-scale event dedicated to the promotion of Indian art, a first of its kind for the country.