MIA (KMB Let's Talk interview series)

Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, better known by her stage name M.I.A., is an English recording artist, songwriter, activist and director. Currently based between New York and London, the artist was recently on her second research visit to Kochi to survey sites for her upcoming participation at the Kochi - Muziris Biennale.

Maya is a Tamil artist, who spent her childhood in Sri Lanka and moved to the UK when she was 11 years old. She studied Fine Art at Central Saint Martin's college in London and showed her first collection of paintings in 2000, at the Euphoria gallery.

Maya has produced 3 best selling albums and has been nominated for a Brit Award, 2 Grammys and the Mercury Music Prize. In 2009, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her song featured in the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' and listed by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world - 'for her global influence across many genres'

In this video Maya talks about how she came to be involved with the inaugural Kochi-Muziris Biennale and how India has become an important backdrop for her work. She believes the organic way in which Kerala has evolved reflects the theme of this Biennale, which is to inspire future generations whilst respecting the past. She touches on the importance of this event for India, given the lack of organized soace for art here compared to the West. By starting from scratch there is a greater challenge which excites Maya, and has fueled her enthusiasm for this Biennale.

The artist has published two books of her artwork, 'M.I.A.' (Pocko Editions, London 2001) and 'M.I.A.' (Rizzoli, New York, 2012).