Creative sculpters

Bringing out the craftsman in him

Kanai came back to his homeland in the year 1969. His sojourn has imbibed him with many eccentric qualities and ace images. He went on a mission of making the well-built images in his mind into sculptures.

Kanai created the first sculpture in Kerala at Malampuzha in Palakkad district. It was that of a woman lying lusciously. It created shock waves inside the moral and social fabric of the society. His main aim was to debunk the male dominated social order in which the women did not posses any right.

"The Mermaid" at Sanghumugham

Though the people could hardly digest this sculpture and the image created by it, they appreciated the expertise behind it.

Hailed as the emergence of postmodern art it also marked the beginning of a new culture. People started to realize the potential of this kind of art form. A novel way of art was opening up with all its artistic sense. This is considered to be one of his greatest contribution.

 

From 1970, onwards Kanai ventured into the creation of trophies using his unique craftsmanship with the sole aim of popularising this kind of art form among the people.

He also helped in building temples at many places. Influenced by the indigenous art forms, Kanai designed a sculpture named "Fertility" at FACT in Aluva.

In 1986, he designed a model of a big "Shell" at Veli in Thiruvananthapuram. He also created many other sculptors at Veli as part of tourism promotion.

Another remarkable work of Kanai is "The Mermaid" at Sanghumugham in Thiruvananthapuram.

Other positions held

• Professor in the Fine Arts College in 1975 till 1992
• As consultant to the Tourism Department
• Chairman of Lalitha Kala Academy