Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum

Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum is the first sand sculpture museum in India, located in Mysore, Karnataka.[1][2] It was inaugurated in 2014, with 150 sand sculptures on display, on a one-acre land at the base of Chamundi Hills. Each of the sculptures was created by sand artist MN Gowri and based on a theme such as Mysore's cultural heritage, wildlife and religion.

Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum
Sand sculpture of Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari at the museum.
Established2014
LocationChamundi Hills Road, Mysore, Karnataka, India
TypeSand sculpture
FounderMN Gowri

History

After dropping out during the second year of her mechanical engineering course, MN Gowri received training in computer animation during which she created three-dimensional models using 3ds Max software. As the sculptures created on computer did not have the "feeling of life", she tried out sand sculpting for the first time in 2011. Upon receiving appreciation for her work, she decided to start a sand sculpture museum on a one-acre leased land at the base of Chamundi Hills, by taking a loan of ₹20 lakh.[3][1]

The museum was inaugurated in 2014, with 115 truckloads of construction sand being used to create 150 sculptures.[4] The sculptures covered up to 16 different themes, largely dealing with Mysore's cultural heritage, wildlife and religion (mainly Hinduism, Islam and Christianity). Among the subjects of the sculptures displayed at the museum were Ganesha, Mysore Dasara, Santa Claus, Christmas tree, zodiac wheel, Islamic culture, Disneyland, marine life, Laughing Buddha, Chamundeshwari, Gitopadesha and Cauvery River.[4][1][5][6]

In 2017, a three-dimensional selfie gallery was introduced at the museum.[2]

Maintenance

The sculptures are preserved within the museum's metal enclosing, with the overhead waterproof sheets allowing sunlight to pass through. Sculptures are brushed and remade every week in case of damages. According to Gowri, "the biggest challenge" is protecting the sculptures from insects and rodents, despite the usage of insecticides and pesticides.[3]

See also

References
  1. Mendonsa, Kevin (5 April 2014). "Sand sculpture museum, another tourist attraction". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  2. Kumar, R. Krishna (26 April 2017). "3D art now at Sand Sculpture Museum". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  3. K., Rathna (28 July 2019). "Grain by grain, amazing sand creations". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. Bennur, Shankar (30 April 2014). "Getting creative using sand and water". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  5. Bennur, Shankar (15 September 2016). "Spreading the message of peace through sand art". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  6. "ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ ಮೈಸೂರಿನ ಮರಳು ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಯಂ". Prajavani (in Kannada). 10 October 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2020.

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