The village of Mukkom, which has found a special place in the hearts of Keralites through the cinematic rendering of the love story of Kanchanamala and B.P. Moideen, is now set to give a fitting tribute to the heroes of the land.
‘Manavam’, a group of social workers, is helming the project to erect 14 memorials in various parts of the village to celebrate the contributions of local heroes. The first memorial has come up at Mukkom, and it narrates the saga of Moideenkoya Haji, who is remembered by the villagers for his charity and social work. A guiding light for the villagers, Haji’s memorial takes the shape of a 10-feet-long lantern.
The remaining 13 memorials will be be dedicated to prominent writers, theatre artistes and socio-cultural leaders who shaped the history of Mukkom.
Writer S.K. Pottekkatt, film producer Salam Karassery and social activist B.P. Moideen are some of the prominent personalities for whom memorials will be built. The design work for the memorials is being carried out by three artists from the region.
For Pottekkatt, the memorial will take the form of a ship, symbolising the writer’s passion for travelogues. It will be the villagers’ tribute to the writer who set his first novel Naadanpremam against the backdrop of Mukkom. In memory of the contributions of Karassery, the sculpture will be erected in the form of a camera.
Manavam volunteers said all memorials would be completed ahead of the forthcoming ‘Manavotsavam’, which will celebrate Mukkom’s successes in the socio-cultural arena. The three-day fete will begin on May 13.
