Sand sculpture of Jayalalithaa in Kanyakumari drawing crowds

A bust-size sand sculpture of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on the beach has been drawing visitors and pilgrims in droves.

Kanyakumari (TN), Dec 8: Sand artist Suresh's 10-hour effort in creating a bust-size sand sculpture of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on the beach here has been drawing visitors and pilgrims in droves and earned him praise from one and all.

"I created the sand sculpture with nine tonnes of sand and it took me 10 hours to finish it. I began my work at 8 PM at Mookdal area in the beach yesterday and completed it at 6 AM today. The sculpture has the party symbol of AIADMK (two leaves)," he told reporters.

Suresh said many people all over the state had shaved their heads, performed aarti, or taken out candlelight processions after Jayalalithaa's death, but he decided to create a sand sculpture on the beach here.

He said he embarked on the exercise on a request from the Agastheeswaram town panchayat AIADMK wing. They wanted him to create a sculpture of Jayalalithaa so that tourists, pilgrims and partymen could pay homage to their departed leader.

AIADMK workers here also wanted a life-size statue of the late Chief Minister to be installed in the same area. History Professor Krishnan, a local, said the sand sculpture has been crafted with great precision.

PTI