In a celebration of coastal Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage, Mangaluru International Airport Ltd. unveiled a huge granite statue of Yakshagana at the departure area on Friday.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, the airport said in a release.Standing tall at 10.25 ft. and mounted on a 3-foot pedestal, the statue weighs approximately four tonnes. It easily commands attention with its intricate detailing and imposing presence. “It is a tribute to the traditional folk-art form of Yakshagana, known for its elaborate costumes, expressive dance, and mythological storytelling,” the airport said.According to the release, the artwork is created by Himanshu Kumar, 38, a sculptor from Bihar, who lives in Karnataka. Himanshu leads Akrathi Shilpa Kala, a studio renowned for its craftsmanship and dedication to preserving Indian art forms. Mr. Himanshu and his team completed the statue in 64 days, the release said.The airport already boasts of a lenticular wall that presents a peep into the fishing harbour at Bunder, as it looked 100 years ago and now. The airport 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’, a regional folk sport, at the lower ground floor arrival hall.Published - September 12, 2025 06:55 pm IST