Majestic Granite Yakshagana Statue Unveiled at Mangaluru International Airport Departure Area
Mangaluru: A striking granite Yakshagana statue now greets travelers at Mangaluru International Airport, showcasing the cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka.
The statue is part of the airport’s ongoing efforts to integrate local art into its public spaces, creating a culturally immersive experience for passengers and visitors alike. It presents a youthful look of calm demeanour, offering travellers and visitors a ringside view into the region’s vibrant artistic traditions.
Standing 10.25 feet tall on a 3-foot pedestal and weighing about four tonnes, the statue commands attention with its intricate details and serves as a tribute to the traditional folk-art form of Yakshagana, known for its elaborate costumes, dance, and storytelling.
The artwork is the creation of Himanshu Kumar, 38, a sculptor from Bihar who has made Karnataka his home and embraced its culture as a naturalised Tuluva. Himanshu leads Akrathi Shilpa Kala, a studio renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to preserving India’s rich art forms. In just 64 days, Himanshu and his team completed the statue, reflecting both their skill and commitment.
The airport already boasts a lenticular wall that presents a glimpse into the fishing harbour at Bunder, as it looked 100 years ago and now. The airport also has a figurine of a fisherman rowing a boat, the famed ‘pili vesha’, Yakshagana figurines – all at the domestic arrival hall, and a figurine of ‘kambala’, the famed local folk sport, at the lower ground floor arrival hall.
About Mangaluru International Airport:
Mangaluru International Airport Limited, managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), is a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, the flagship company of the globally diversified Adani Group. AAHL aims to converge India’s biggest cities in a hub and spoke model through the Group’s proven strength in developing and managing complex transport & logistics hubs and creating a memorable experience for stakeholders using them.
The Adani Group’s vision for Mangaluru International Airport, which handled highest ever passenger numbers of 2.32mn in FY 2024-25, with a strong understanding of modern-day mobility requirements, is to develop it as the preferred tier-II, digitally inclusive, tech-savvy, and the safest and secure tabletop airport in India. While championing sustainable growth through excellence in customer experience, we value process efficiency and place stakeholder relationships at the core of our functioning.