Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum
{{short description|First sand sculpture museum in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox museum
| name = Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum
| image = Sand museum Mysore sculpture.jpg
| caption = Sand sculpture of Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari at the museum.
| type = Sand sculpture
| established = 2014
| location = Chamundi Hills Road, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| founder = MN Gowri
}}
Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum is the first sand sculpture museum in India, located in Mysore, Karnataka. 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.
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 {{INR}}20 lakh.{{cite news |last1=K. |first1=Rathna |title=Grain by grain, amazing sand creations |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/jul/28/grain-by-grain-amazing-sand-creations-2010569.html |accessdate=23 January 2020 |work=The New Indian Express |date=28 July 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Mendonsa |first1=Kevin |title=Sand sculpture museum, another tourist attraction|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/397022/sand-sculpture-museum-another-tourist.html |accessdate=23 January 2020 |work=Deccan Herald |date=5 April 2014}}
The museum was inaugurated in 2014, with 115 truckloads of construction sand being used to create 150 sculptures. 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.{{cite news |last1=Bennur |first1=Shankar |title=Getting creative using sand and water |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/getting-creative-using-sand-and-water/article5960480.ece |accessdate=23 January 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=30 April 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Bennur |first1=Shankar |title=Spreading the message of peace through sand art |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/Spreading-the-message-of-peace-through-sand-art/article14638792.ece |accessdate=23 January 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=15 September 2016}}{{cite news |title=ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ ಮೈಸೂರಿನ ಮರಳು ಶಿಲ್ಪಗಳ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಯಂ |url=https://www.prajavani.net/pravasa/sand-museum-mysore-672386.html |language=kn|accessdate=23 January 2020 |work=Prajavani |date=10 October 2019}}
In 2017, a three-dimensional selfie gallery was introduced at the museum.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=R. Krishna |title=3D art now at Sand Sculpture Museum |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/3d-art-now-at-sand-sculpture-museum/article18229121.ece |accessdate=23 January 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=26 April 2017}}
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.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{coord missing|Karnataka}}