Sculptor Kanaka Murthy Passes Away At 79 Due To COVID-19

Sculptor Kanaka Murthy died of COVID-19 at the age of 79. Murthy passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru today.

Kanaka Murthy had developed COVID-19 symptoms earlier this week and was quarantined at home. Her condition worsened and she was rushed to the hospital, where she passed away.

Murthy is known for sculpting a bust of the playwright, poet, and novelist Kuvempu, the Wright Brothers’ statue, and busts of vocalists Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, and Mallikajun Mansur.

Kanaka Murthy has written two books, Shilpa Rekha was a book about line drawings and Howde? Idu Naane, a memoir. She has also won several awards such as the Karnataka Jakanachari Award, Shilpa Kala Academy Award, and Rajyotsava Award.

Murthy is survived by her husband Narayana Murthy and Rumi Harish. She had described her son as her “friend, philosopher, and guide” and added that he was the person who had asked her to document her experiences.

In an interview, Murthy spoke about what started her journey as a sculptor. She said that “Once when visiting a temple in Mysuru, I saw the stone sculptures of deities there. That fascinated me. I kept going back to the place almost every day just to see those beautiful sculptures.” Murthy added that she was only interested in learning sculpting, other subjects didn’t catch her attention.

Murthy also spoke about the issues she had to face in a male-dominated field. She said that “People refused to believe in my talent since sculpting had always been a male enterprise.”

In 2018, when Murthy was asked if she had any upcoming artworks planned, she replied that her health “does not permit it anymore”. Instead, she focused and guiding and training her student and passing on everything she had learned for her guru.

Kannada Development Authority Chairman T S Nagabharana mourned her death and said she had faced opposition in her career as a sculptor, but her commitment lead to her becoming a renowned sculptor.

Feature Image Credit: The News Minute