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A slice of life

The life-like figures at the Visakha Museum depicting the lifestyle of fishing community are a wonder by themselves, writes NIVEDITA GANGULY

PHOTOS: K.R.DEEPAK

ASTONISHING RESEMBLANCE Life-like figures of fisherwomen

The surroundings take you to a faraway land with its pristine simplicity, away from the knick-knacks of the modern day world. In the serene backdrop of the Bay of Bengal, the fishermen embark on their journey in to the sea.

Children squat outside on the front-yard of their modest dwellings and play games that generates the same excitement and thrill as the power packed computer games of today.

For a moment you may be forced to believe that you are in a different world altogether, but for the waft of murmurs from equally surprised visitors at the Visakha museum.

The recent addition of 14 life-like fibre statues in the Visakha Museum has given new life to the place.

Sachin Tendulkar

The figures depicting the lifestyle of the fishing community are a wonder by themselves with their stark resemblance to real-life humans. This is the creation of three talented and dedicated young artists - Y. Ravi Chander, M. Ramakrishna and S.G.S.P.Reddy - that has brought forth the charm of a forgotten era.

Themes

The figures are based on three themes - lifestyle of fisherfolk, traditional rural games and a figure of a famous personality signifying the current generation.

"They showcase the lifestyle of the fisherfolk and the old traditional games that were played by the children in the rural pockets, which have become almost extinct in the modern era," said M.N.A.Patrudu, curator of the museum.

The figures present the guileless villagers, and awakened by the artist are children playing marbles, `puli meka' (a chase game of tigers and goats played on squares with pawns), `natharallu' and `guduguduguncham' in a mottled spectre and fishermen in profile in the vicinity of the engulfing blue water and the enchanting figure of Sachin Tendulkar standing tall amidst a packed beaming stadium.

And don't be shocked if you mistake such a figure to be that of a uniformed guard right at the entrance!

The Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation has spent Rs.3 lakhs for the project. "This is a part of the development programme for the museum to make it more vibrant and attract more tourists and local people," informed Mr. Patrudu.

A rural boy

It took nearly four months for the three artists to finish the figures in a phased manner.

Adept in replicating human beings, the three art graduates have astonished many in the city by their creative skills in fashioning life-like figures that look in no way inferior to the wax models of Madame Tussauds.

"In fact, in Madame Tussauds, the person sits hours together in front of the artist. But here, the young boys have created miracles by their imagination and sharp focus without any actual model sitting in front of them," added Mr. Patrudu.

Every minute detail of the figure is taken care of like texture, folds and angle to give it a realistic effect.

Their works have also been included at Silparamam and Rock Garden in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Bheemunipatnam and Vizianagaram Science Museum.

"We are glad that our efforts have been appreciated by many and now we are receiving direct contracts," said Ramakrishna, one of the artists.

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