Many of renowned sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman’s works have this quality: they merge into the space where they are located, mostly emerging out of the sand mounds as though he has unearthed them from there.
Visitors to Ponmudi, literally the golden crest of the Western Ghats barely two hours’ drive from the capital city, have been enchanted by one of his works: the ‘Sleeping Beauty’, the image of a woman lying half submerged in dark soil.
But, today, visitors would not get to see the sculpture as it has been destroyed and lies half hidden by wild growth right next to a new guest house coming up at Ponmudi. Kanayi’s work was originally part of the children’s park at the tourist resort, installed there some 17 years ago.
Today, only the broken parts of the sculpture are visible, lying amidst building material and thick undergrowth.
It was prised out of its original abode and left to the elements outside the periphery of the new structure. A building constructed by the former royal family of Travancore has also been brought down to the ground.
When contacted, the sculptor said he was deeply pained by the development. “Nobody has told me about this so far. If you ask me, this is like replacing or destroying a painting by Raja Ravi Varma. For me, all my works are my children and the pain is as unbearable as when a mother loses her child. This sculpture was designed only for Ponmudi and it must be reconstructed,” he said.
Mulling legal action
Kanayi said he would consider taking legal action against those who had destroyed his work.
The government and the people have the responsibility to preserve a work of art once it is placed in the public domain, he pointed out.
Devika Krishna D.B.
