COIMBATORE: As a fitting tribute to the Tamil saint-poet Tiruvalluvar on 'Tiruvalluvar Day', observed on Monday (January 15), a group of five women students of the Sri Krishna Arts and Science College created a replica of the saint's statue that is erected in Kanyakumari, using 730 match sticks and 600 neem leaves.
Using a stick pen, 1,330 Tirukkural couplets were written on them and placed in order on the art work. The nine foot piece was completed in ten hours on Monday. After meticulous planning, trial and error, the group of five women, Sowdhasri J, B. Rashwantika, Aishwaria J, Raghavi S and Nandani K worked as a team to complete the task.
Speaking to the Deccan Chronicle on the sidelines of creating the art work at a private hall in the city, Sowdhasri said, “we drew the outline first and two of us began painting, while three of us worked on writing each of the 'Tirukkural' couplets on the match sticks and neem leaves. The piece of art will be on display at our college premises after we obtain necessary permission. It will be offered for sale and the proceeds donated to care homes in Coimbatore treating HIV positive patients.” she said. The entire activity was sponsored by a local civic activist who is also a political leader.
During the last couple of weeks, the team of women who became friends while travelling to college by bus, decided to do something unique to educate people about the value of the 'Tirukkural'. Thus, the idea was born and the group worked on creating a statue of the great saint after college hours, using 1,330 match sticks.
The debut art piece the team created measures four-and-a-half feet and has 1,330 couplets written on it.
