Sculptors unite to carve Kozhikode’s heritage on granite

KOZHIKODE: The city will soon be able to stake its claim as a city of sculptures. Eminent sculptors from across the country descended on the city on Tuesday to take part in the national granite sculptors’ camp. They will sculpt 15 mega sculptures which are set to become the future landmarks of the city.
Among the notable sculptures taking shape at the ADM Bungalow at Malapparamba is a Rs 1 crore worth work created by sculptor KS Radhakrishnan, who is also the director of the camp.The sculpture will be installed either at the district collectorate or at Mananchira.
It will be made out of granite and brass with the creator himself bearing most of the expenses. The workshop is organized by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi in association with the District Tourism Promotion Council. The 27-day-long camp, attended by 12 noted sculptors, was inaugurated by Artist Namboodiri by chiseling a black granite stone.
Speaking at the function, district Collector KV Mohankumar said the sculptures will reflect the historic and cultural heritage of the district. He said the workshop will provide an opportunity for art students and sculpture enthusiasts to see the birth of a sculpture at the hands of eminent sculptors.
K A Francis, chairman of Lalithakala Akademi, said 25 locations around the city have been shortlisted for installing the sculptures. He said the event will hold the record of creating maximum number of sculptures from a single location in such a short time.
“The sculptures created in the camp will on an average be 15-20 ft high and will change the face of the city once they are installed at prominent locations across the city,” he said.
He said the renovated art gallery at Kozhikode would be opened to public by the end of this month.
He also said that state government has decided to allow artists from the state to hold exhibitions at the Travancore Art gallery in New Delhi.
Noted sculptors from across the country attending the camp include Adwait Prasad Gadanayak (Odisha), Rajendrakumar Tiku(J&K), Deepika Saha (Tripura), Pradeep Kambathalli (Karnataka), Nantu Bihari Das and Sourav Jana (West Bengal).
Among the sculptors from the state who are participating in the camp are K P Soman, Joseph M Varghese, Johns Mathew and P H Hochimin and VK Rajan who is the convenor of the camp.
A Pradeepkumar MLA, councillor K C Shobitha and sculptor Jeevan Thomas spoke at the function.