Yakshi is a sculpture in Malampuzha park, Palakkad adjacent to the Malampuzha Dam in the Indian state of Kerala.[1] Sculptored by Kanayi Kunhiraman, its construction was completed in 1969.[2] It is a 30 ft (9.1 m)-tall sculpture inspired by a nude female yakshi (Hinduist female spirit), with her legs spread out, breasts lifted, eyes raised to the sky in a semi-drowsy state and fingers running through her hair.[3][4] The sculpture is constructed in a single piece.[5] Kunhiraman was honoured by Kerala Government in 2019 during the 50th anniversary of the sculpture.[6]
| Yakshi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Kanayi Kunhiraman |
| Year | 1969 |
| Dimensions | 910 cm (30 ft) |
| Location | Malampuzha, Palakkad |
| Owner | Government of Kerala |
Criticism
editThe sculpture have been criticised by some people for its nudity.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "Yakshi, The Iconic Nude Female Statue In Kerala To Get A Facelift After 50 Years". IndiaTimes. 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ thomas, elizabeth (2019-04-10). "Kanayi Kunhiraman's Yakshi is secular". The Asian Age. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ Staff Reporter (2020-10-08). "Woman who posed for 'Yakshi' dead". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ "Kanayi's enigmatic 'Yakshi' continues to kick up a row, this time on Instagram". OnManorama. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ "Of Malampuzha, the yakshi and memories". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ "Iconic Yakshi to get a park, courtesy Kanayi". The Times of India. TNN. Oct 10, 2020. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ Priya, Krishna (2021-09-30). "Nudity In Art: Analysing The Politics Of Nakedness Through The Sculptures Of Kanayi Kunhiraman". Feminism in India. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ "നഗ്നയായ യക്ഷിയെ തുണിയുടുപ്പിക്കാന് ഇറങ്ങിത്തിരിച്ചവർ അറിയാൻ". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2022-10-30.