"Yakshi" the iconic nude woman statue in Kerala to get facelift
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 2: Kerala's iconic 'Yakshi' statue, the gigantic nude woman sculpture which had shocked the conventional mindset of the society, is all set to get a facelift as it completes 50 years of construction.
The imposing structure, located at the sprawling Malampuzha gardens of Palakkad district, was sculpted by eminent artist Kanayi Kunhiraman in the year 1969.
Facing the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats, the statue of "Yakshi" is designed as a voluptuous naked woman in sitting posture with her hair unlocked and legs stretching forward with eyes half-opened.
One of the most famous and celebrated sculptures of the state, 'Yakshi' (demigoddess in local parlance) is considered as an artistic wonder by art buffs for its rare skillfulness, creativity and bold expression.
At the age of 81, Kunhiraman is now busy renovating his revolutionary work of art to restore it to its old sensuous charm.
The sculptor said he wants to give the 30 ft-structure bronze plating to help it withstand the test of time and keep it for the posterity without any damage.
"Yakshi is the first such bold attempt to bring the sculptures of women out of the walls of temples.
So far, women sculptures could be seen on the temple walls only," Kunhiraman told PTI.
The award-winning artist, who likes to call himself as a proponent of 'anti-museum' art movement, said he was against depicting art works in museums.
"Art is for people... it is not to be confined within the four walls of museums. Nature should be the canvas and space for an artist. He should construct his work in nature," Kunhiraman, also the former chairman of the state-run Lalit Kala Academy, said.
When the sculptor started the work of "Yakshi" during late 1960s, he had to face stiff opposition and protest from conservatives who condemned that the statue as obscene and had said it was against the state's morality and culture.
Unfazed by the protests and controversies, Kunhiraman had carved the concrete sculpture in the scenic garden, which has been attracting huge inflow of visitors and art aficionados for the last many decades.
"I had to face severe protest from conventional people against erecting the statue of a nude woman in a public space.
But, I asked them what is wrong in placing a woman's statue in open nature if it can be placed in temples? Nature is my temple," he said.
The ace sculptor also said he had never felt any nudity in the statue and obscenity is in the minds of onlookers.
"The post-modern movement advocates that any work of art should be the ones to influence and correct this society.
I did "Yakshi" to give a shock to the conventional mindset and remove the very concept of obscenity from their heart," the artist explained.
"But, I am so happy to see that after those initial objections, people have started to love Yakshi in course of time and accept it as a landmark one," he said.
The octogenarian artist now wants to cover the huge 'Yakshi' structure with bronze to retain it for posterity.
"If there is bronze plating, it will last for a long period without any damage.
I have conveyed my wish to the government and awaiting a favourable reply from them," the artist said adding the ongoing renovation would be completed in a week's time.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
