Govt writes off Rs 5.7 lakh spent on actor Murali’s sculpture

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government’s finance department has put an end to the moulding of a sculpture of late actor Murali, known for his powerful performances in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, and wrote off an expense of Rs 5,70,000 spent for the purpose. 

A rock statue of the actor was installed at the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in 2009. However, following allegations that it did not resemble the actor, a decision was made to sculpt another one in bronze. 

Soon after, a contract was signed with a sculptor and then Lalithakala Akademi Chairman Nemom Pushparaj was assigned to verify the artistic aspects of the statue.  

Pushparaj stated that the mould of the statue did not have any resemblance to the actor’s appearance and demanded rectification. As the sculptor failed to bring in changes, the Akademi demanded to stop the work and asked him to repay the money. 

However, the sculptor pleaded that he had spent more than the given amount for primary expenditure and hence should be relieved from repaying Rs 5,70,000. The request was accepted by the government on February 10 and the sum was written off. 

Meanwhile, there is a theatre in Murali’s name at the Akademi. Although the Left government had announced the setting up of a drama school at his native place in Kottarakkara, it is yet to come true.