Thiruvananthapuram: Sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman has alleged that his iconic sculpture ‘Sagarakanyaka’ (Mermaid) was used in a hoarding for breast cancer awareness without his consent. The advertisement, created by a private hospital to promote mastectomy awareness, depicts the mermaid with one breast removed, accompanied by the tagline “Noticed a change?”

Kunhiraman condemned the portrayal as a “distortion” and said the advertisers neither sought his permission nor respected the integrity of his artwork. “This should not be done. They did not seek my consent,” he told Manorama News, describing the act as mentally distressing and disrespectful to his creation. He has demanded that the hoarding be removed immediately.

However, Kunhiraman’s wife, Nalini, told Onmanorama that they do not plan to pursue legal action. “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. It is government property now, and the tourism authority should be responsible for protecting, painting and preserving it. It took him years of hard work to complete it, yet it is not getting the respect it deserves,” she said.

“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.

According to experts, the issue is a violation of the artist’s moral rights under the Indian Copyright Act, 1957, which recognises sculptures as artistic works. "The moment a sculpture is created, copyright automatically arises in favour of the sculptor. The sculptor has exclusive rights to reproduce, exhibit or authorise the use of the work," said Praveen Raj, Senior Principal Scientist at NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram.

Following the controversy, the hospital authorities removed the advertisement.

In 2022, Kunhiraman had protested the installation of a decommissioned helicopter near the same sculpture at Shankhumugham Beach, arguing that it obstructed the statue’s view and marred its artistic landscape.