Udupi: Mahatma’s Fibre Glass Sculpture to Greet Tourists at Malpe Beach

Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 6: The state department of tourism has sanctioned a grant of Rs 50 lac towards developing Malpe beach, as a measure to attract more tourists. Out of this grant, besides developing the road leading to Malpe and providing interlock pavements, a fibre glass sculpture of Mahatma Gandhiji, created out of special interest evinced by the district deputy commissioner at a cost of Rs 4.5 lac, will be installed at the beach.

The statue, which is six ft tall, weighs about 150 kg. It will be installed on a six-ft high stone pedestal.

This project is being executed by Udupi Nirmiti Kendra, with the assistance of tourism department. The sculpture was created out of fibre glass by using clay mould. Artistes, Purushottam Adve from the town, Anil from Davangere and Harish Malappanavar from Bangalore, took two months to create it in Adve’s home here. The sculpture reflects the unique pose in which the Mahatma used to address meetings, public rallies etc., by folding his legs behind and supporting his body with his right hand.

Reportedly, the team used the help of a person named Thomas from here, by making him to sit in that pose, to make initial mould. If the people’s representatives are available, the sculpture is all set to be inaugurated by August 15. Deputy commissioner, Hemalata, has said that a small statue of the Mahatma along with three monkeys, which is presently located in Malpe, will be shifted elsewhere.