Renowned sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman has strongly condemned the unauthorized use of his iconic Sagarakanyaka (Mermaid) sculpture in a breast cancer awareness advertisement by a private hospital. The controversial advertisement depicted the mermaid with one breast surgically removed to promote mastectomy awareness, accompanied by the tagline "Noticed a change?" Kunhiraman expressed his outrage at what he considers a distortion of his artistic work, emphasizing that the hospital neither sought his permission nor showed respect for the integrity of his creation.
"This should not be done. They did not seek my consent," Kunhiraman told Manorama News, describing the unauthorized use as mentally distressing and deeply disrespectful to his artistic vision. The sculptor has demanded the immediate removal of the controversial hoarding from public display. The advertisement was created by a private hospital as part of their breast cancer awareness campaign, but the modified portrayal of the beloved sculpture sparked immediate backlash from the artist and the public.
Despite the clear violation of his artistic rights, Kunhiraman's wife, Nalini, revealed that the couple does not intend to pursue legal action at this time. "We are not going to file a complaint as of now. His duty is over, it is the people's responsibility to fight for it," she explained to reporters. Nalini emphasized that the sculpture has now become government property, placing the responsibility for its protection, maintenance, and preservation squarely on the tourism authorities.
Nalini expressed frustration over the lack of recognition her husband receives for his artistic contributions, noting that "it took him years of hard work to complete it, yet it is not getting the respect it deserves." She lamented that while people around the world appreciate the statue, her husband would have received greater respect and recognition if he had worked elsewhere. "He lived his entire life here, and people all over the world appreciate the statue. If he had gone somewhere else, he would have received the respect he deserves," she added with evident disappointment.
Legal experts have weighed in on the controversy, confirming that the hospital's actions constitute a clear violation of the artist's moral rights under Indian copyright law. Praveen Raj, Senior Principal Scientist at the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram, explained the legal framework protecting artistic works. "The moment a sculpture is created, copyright automatically arises in favor of the sculptor. The sculptor has exclusive rights to reproduce, exhibit, or authorize the use of the work," Raj stated, emphasizing that sculptures are recognized as artistic works under the Indian Copyright Act of 1957.
Following the public outcry and media attention surrounding the controversy, hospital authorities quickly moved to remove the offensive advertisement. The swift action suggests an acknowledgment of the inappropriate use of the copyrighted artwork, though no official apology or statement has been issued by the hospital regarding the unauthorized modification and commercial use of Kunhiraman's sculpture.
This incident is not the first time Kunhiraman has had to defend the artistic integrity of his famous Sagarakanyaka sculpture. In 2022, the sculptor staged a protest against the installation of a decommissioned helicopter near the same sculpture at Shankhumugham Beach. He argued that the helicopter's placement obstructed the statue's view and significantly marred the carefully planned artistic landscape surrounding his creation, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to preserving the aesthetic integrity of his work and its environment.
