Thiruvalluvar, one of the earliest Tamil poet-philosophers from ancient India, is spreading his message in the most modern of the communication means. The ‘Statue of Wisdom’ – that the 133-feet high sculpture of his standing top near Kanyakumari is called – is disseminating that wisdom through a captivating projection mapping of sound and light show created as part of the statue’s silver jubilee celebrations.
SIAsia presents a snapshot:
……………………………………………………
The statue of Thiruvalluvar, sculpted in stone, scaling 133 feet, was erected on a small island near Kanyakumari on the first of January, 2000 near Kanyakumari, as a tribute to the great poet-philosopher who authored the famous Thirukkural, the ancient Tamil text on morality, consisting of 1330 short couplets.
Sculpted by famous sculptor Ganapathi Sthapathi, the statue is actually measures 95 feet, with a 38-feet pedestal forming its base. Together, they make up 133 feet denoting the same number of chapters of the three-book composition. While the 38-feet pedestal denotes the first book of 38 chapters on human virtues, the actual statue of Thiruvallur, scaling 95 feet, denotes second and third books on composed on wealth and love.
The right hand of the statue with three fingers pointing skywards signifies the three cantos of the book- Aram, Porul, and Inbam (Virtue, Wealth, and Love, respectively). The 7000-ton monolith is regarded as a grand cultural fusion, owing to its juxtaposition beside the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
Having installed the statue with a fusion of grand parameters, the government of Tamil Nadu decided to celebrate the silver jubilee in even grand fashion, with a fusion of audio-visual technology.
Thus came on board the New Delhi-based systems integrator MSS World, along with Ahmedabad-based content creator Knownsense Studios, and Christie, bringing their masterly creative work to life by means of seven pure laser projectors.
This remarkable installation, inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, combines state-of-the-art technologies with cultural storytelling to create an unforgettable experience for visitors.
The nightly laser projection show celebrates the teachings of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar through his literary masterpiece, Thirukkural, with narration in both Tamil and English. Designed to captivate audiences and instill timeless values, the project elevates the cultural and educational appeal of this iconic heritage site, which is one of the must-visit spots in Tamil Nadu.
“We selected Christie RGB pure laser projectors for their unparalleled performance and durability in large-scale outdoor installations,” said Pratik Wadhwa, CEO, MSS World. “The Griffyn Series’ RGB pure laser illumination provides exceptional color vibrancy, while its rugged yet compact footprint allowed us to overcome various onsite challenges and deliver stunning imagery and seamless operation.”
The project faced significant challenges stemming from the demanding coastal environment. Positioned 650 meters (2,133 feet) away, the source required marine-grade cables to transmit content across the sea to the projectors mounted on a rocky outcrop near the statue. The long throw distance of 420 meters (1,377 feet) further necessitated the use of custom-designed enclosures to protect the projectors and precise calibration to achieve optimal image quality. Despite these complexities, MSS World, in collaboration with content creation firm Knownsense Studios, delivered a seamless and visually captivating experience.
The Griffyn 4K35-RGB projectors, renowned for their wide color gamut and ultra-sharp 4K resolution, enabled vivid imagery and seamless storytelling on the Thiruvalluvar Statue, even against its textured dark stone surface. The integration of advanced display technology and cultural narratives has drawn rave reviews from visitors, who described the experience as “spectacular” and “mesmerizing.” Even those who watched the show on a large screen powered by the M 4K25 RGB projector were equally impressed, praising the experience as “wonderful.”
“The Thiruvalluvar Statue light and sound show exemplifies how modern projection technology can breathe new life into cultural heritage sites,” added Wadhwa. “This initiative not only enhances the site’s appeal but also underscores the role of technology in making cultural experiences more accessible and engaging.”
Rishubh Nayar, Christie’s sales director for India, commented, “The Griffyn Series and M 4K RGB Series exemplify excellence in experiential installations, and this project highlights their transformative potential. With eight out of 10 large-scale projection mapping projects in India utilizing Christie solutions, we are proud to redefine immersive shared experiences, making them both memorable and enduring.”
