A Unique Story of Keeping the Memories of a Loved One Alive
Sriram Singh Rattan
In a touching tale that illustrates the depths of human emotion and blends it with modern artistry, the Nayak family of Jagabandhu Sahi in Old Berhampur has found an extraordinary way to cope with an irreplaceable loss.
On a bleak day in April 2021, Kiran Nayak, beloved wife and mother, was taken away from the family as she succumbed to COVID19. Her departure left a void so profound that her husband, Prashant Kumar Nayak, and their three children sought solace in an act that has since captured the hearts and fancy of many across the globe.
Prashant, a businessman by profession, embarked on a journey of keeping his better half’s memory alive in the most tangible way possible. He commissioned a lifelike replica of his wife Kiran for the sake of his three children. When asked about how he chanced upon the said idea, he said it was his children who saw something like this being done in Kolkata and wanted the same to be done in honour of their mother. The family then contacted a sculptor in Bengaluru to bring the memory of their beloved mother come alive.
“We miss her every moment,” Prashant reflects with a heavy heart, “but through this statue, she is still here with us, watching over our family.” In the living room of their home now sits a life-sized silicone statue of Kiran, crafted with such precision that it feels as if she has merely stepped out for a moment.
Clad in a saree, adorned with gold ornaments, the statue is placed on the sofa where Kiran used to spend her evenings, making the illusion of her presence even more vivid. This masterpiece was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but a carefully planned tribute.
Prashant, moved by their grief and his own, reached out to Shreedhar Murthy, a renowned sculptor from Bengaluru. Murthy, known for his detailed and lifelike creations, took on the task with the utmost care, spending nearly a year to perfect Kiran’s likeness. The process was intricate with photographs from various angles being sent to Murthy, who then used advanced 3D modeling to sculpt the statue. Using silicone to craft the face and skin of the replica was Shreedhar’s idea to make the design as close to life as possible, he says.
“Every visit to Bengaluru was like revisiting Kiran,” Prashant shares, his voice tinged with both sorrow and awe, “watching her come back to life, bit by bit.” The statue, costing over Rs 8.12 lakhs, is not just a visual tribute but a functional part of the family’s daily life. The children, still grappling with their loss, find comfort in its presence.
“We talk to her, change her sarees and even seek her blessings before stepping out,” says one of Kiran’s daughters, her eyes reflecting pain as well as solace. “It’s like she’s still with us, guiding us”.
Mehak, the youngest daughter and an MBA student, has taken on the responsibility of maintaining the statue, ensuring it reflects the elegance and warmth her mother embodied. “Changing her saree, her jewelry, it’s our way of keeping her alive, of not letting go,” she explains, her hands gently adjusting the folds of the saree on the statue.
Kiran, though in a heavenly abode now, still forms part of family functions and pictures. She can be seen in pictures taken by her family during the marriage of her elder daughter. Besides clicking pictures together as a family on various occasions, the children of the house routinely sit with the statue and whisper sweet nothings to their mother, finding joy in their mother’s presence.
This story, while deeply personal to the Nayaks, resonates universally, touching on themes of love, loss and the human quest to hold on to those we cherish. It speaks volumes about the lengths to which one can go to preserve the memory of a loved one, transforming grief into a form of art that not only heals but also inspires.
As the Nayak family continues to live with Kiran’s statue, their home remains a testament to enduring love, reminding us all that sometimes, the most profound expressions of love are those that go beyond convention and embrace the extraordinary.
(The author is a communication professional. Views expressed are personal.)
