THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "Don't you want to see the golden cup in person? I have come to invite you..." When Minister V Sivankutty said this, Chirayinkeezhu Sreekandan Nair's face was filled with surprise. "I want to see it, touch it once," the sculptor of the golden cup said, taking the minister's hand.

Kerala Kaumudi had reported that the sculptor of the 117 sovereign golden cup, the prize of the school arts festival, is waiting for an invitation to the venue. The minister came in person to invite the sculptor following this.

Sreekandan Nair and his wife Girija could not believe it when the minister's vehicle reached A-12 in Kesavadasapuram Pillaveedu Lane at around 4:30 pm today. The minister sat down with Sreekanthan Nair on the Diwan Cot and had a casual conversation. Sreekandan Nair talked about the making of the golden cup in 1983 and his writings.

The minister invited the sculptor to reach the stage on the concluding day of the arts festival. Sivankutty assured him that his staff would arrive with the car and he can leave for the venue without any difficulty. Sreekandan Nair has decided to touch the gold cup before the concluding day of the fest.

"Many people called me in the morning after seeing the Kerala Kaumudi news. Thank you."

- Chirayinkeezhu Sreekandan Nair