CHENNAI: In stoic silence, stood Indira Gandhi smiling as she gracefully basked in the company of Nehru and MGR, both looking into the horizon. More smiles followed from Ambedkar and Subhash Chandra Bose as I stepped into Mani Nagappa’s studio, a sculptor at heart and profession for years.
Nagappa and his family have been into the art of creating sculptures of leaders, politicians, academics and intellectuals. “Other than Munroe’s statue, most of the old statues of the British were created by my father,” recalls Mani who believes sculpting is in his genes. He took over his father, Late Rao Bahadur Nagappa’s legacy.
“Sculptures are the only things that tell history,” says 83-year-old Mani whose children are also into the business.
His favourite statue is that of Nehru’s at the Kathipara junction.
Each sculpture takes about six months to create, starting with studying the character of the person, to making a clay model which needs to be approved before being made.
Not surprisingly, Mani sees a surge in orders whenever elections are around.
As I take my leave, he calls out, “When you become a politician, I’ll make your statue as well.”