Well-known sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman has reportedly declined to accept the Kerala Sree awards announced by the state government last day. He reasoned that it is a protest against the government’s failure to consider the demand to preserve the sculptures.
Kunhiraman alleged that when Kadakampally Surendran was the tourism minister, the parks at Shankumugham beach and Veli were ruined. The place was disfigured after a helipad was constructed at Shankumugham.
He also said that the matter was brought to the notice of the Minister and the Chief Minister but to no avail.
Recently, Kanayi Kunhiraman’s massive sculpture of a mermaid at Shankumugham Beach was adjudged the ‘largest merperson sculpture’ in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
