As all eyes turn to Ayodhya on January 22, Sunil Kandalloor, 52, finds himself frustrated by the “bureaucratic and legal delays” that have hampered the progress of his wax sculpture museum project, a report by The Indian Express said. Despite the ongoing construction, the inauguration of the Ram Temple takes center stage, but Sunil remains optimistic about completing the first phase of the museum by April-May this year.
Ramayan Wax Museum: Unveiling the Epic Narrative
According to the IE report, the Ramayan Wax Museum is set to showcase around 100 life-size wax statues featuring characters from the Ramayana. The first phase, highlighting 30-35 scenes from Ram Katha, including Sita’s Swayamvar, Vanvaas, and Lanka Dahan, is expected to be a captivating visual narrative.
Securing the Rs 7-crore museum project last April, Sunil faced minimal competition as the sole applicant. The Kandalloor siblings, with their unique expertise, demonstrate their prowess in crafting lifelike statues. Their track record includes wax museums in Kanyakumari, Thekkady, and Lonavala, featuring 170 statues of celebrities.
Ayodhya’s Wax Artistry: Crafting the Narrative
Sunil explains the meticulous process behind the Ayodhya project, involving the creation of molds for the first 80 statues. The first phase, covering 10,000 square feet, concentrates on Ram Katha, with the subsequent phase exploring Krishna Katha. Plans include adding celebrity statues, parks, restaurants, and more.
Budget Breakdown and Artistic Techniques
Subhash reveals that the first phase, costing Rs 5 crore out of the total Rs 7 crore budget, is well underway. A team of five artists is dedicated to molding the statues, while an additional 20-25 individuals work on completing the rest of the museum features.
Sunil emphasizes his thorough research for accurate depictions, studying books and scriptures extensively. Having spent months in Ayodhya, he draws inspiration from the city’s visuals. Advanced materials like silicon, wax, and fiberglass play a crucial role in creating expressive and lifelike sculptures, showcasing various moments from the characters’ lives.