Chennai, Jan 31 (NationPress) The DMK government has revealed its intention to erect a magnificent 125-foot statue of the Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola at the soon-to-be-established Grand Chola Museum in Thanjavur, further reinforcing its dedication to celebrating legendary figures from Tamil heritage.

The Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, E.V. Velu, stated that this statue will be the highlight of the ambitious museum initiative.

As per the minister's remarks, the planned statue will resemble the Raja Raja Chola statue that was previously installed near Sivaganga Park in Thanjavur during the administration of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

“The Chief Minister is particularly invested in this project and insists on its execution being true to history and lavish,” Velu mentioned.

In preparation for this endeavor, the minister made a recent trip to Gujarat to examine the Statue of Unity, a towering 597-foot tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

He highlighted that the foundation and base of the Patel statue were made using steel, while the outer layer was crafted from copper plates. This project was undertaken by Larsen & Toubro after the statue was manufactured in China.

“We are in talks with the same company regarding the Raja Raja Chola statue as well,” Velu added.

The Grand Chola Museum is being constructed on a vast 52-acre area within the Tamil University campus at Thanjavur, with an estimated budget of Rs 56.41 crore.

While the Museums Department is responsible for the construction and curation of the museum, the PWD has been given the task of designing and erecting the statue, which is envisioned as the museum's primary visual and symbolic centerpiece. Construction of the museum is currently ongoing.

The announcement of this project was first made by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu during his budget address for the year 2023–24. He stated that the museum will honor the civilizational contributions of the Cholas and serve as a repository for art objects, inscriptions, and monuments from that era.

Alongside the statue, the museum's narrative will be further enhanced by the inclusion of two small bronze idols of Raja Raja Chola and his queen, Lokamadevi, which were illicitly taken from Tamil Nadu and recovered by the Idol Wing of the Tamil Nadu Police in 2018 from Ahmedabad. These idols are expected to be ceremonially placed before the deity at the Thanjavur Big Temple on Sathaya Vizha, the birth star of the Chola king.

The Grand Chola Museum will host galleries that delve into the rich historical legacy of the Cholas, their roots in the Sangam era, religious support, governance, architectural brilliance, urban planning, management of water and land, art and culture—particularly Chola bronzes and stone sculptures—as well as aspects of society, economy, literature, overseas trade, naval prowess, and military strength. Together, the statue and the museum aim to create a comprehensive representation of one of Tamil civilization's most significant dynasties.