Mysuru: The city of palaces and museums has one more attraction for visitors with the inauguration of ‘Kalashree’ a museum of beautiful artwork, sculptures and the magnificent recreation of Taj Mahal in seashells and conchs.

Radha Mallappa, a resident of Hanumanthanagar, has been working on products of the sea like seashells and conchs since more than two decades and designed different items. Beginning from the smallest flower to the giant sized Taj Mahal, Shiva temple, church, each piece is unique and eye-catching.

Small Industries and Sugar Minister Dr. Geetha Mahadevaprasad inaugurated the museum, located on Chamundi Hill Road in J.C. Layout where the Sand Museum is also there, here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that the creations of Radha Mallappa are outstanding. She should be lauded for her effort. “If she also makes flowerpots using seashells and conchs, it will be a good idea as it can be presented as gifts,” she said.

The 11ft X 18ft tall Ganesha idol that she created using seashells and conchs bagged the Guinness World Record last year. The size of Taj Mahal is 12ft X 13ft, while Shiva’s temple is also 12ft X 13ft and the church is 13ftX15ft.

Each artefact displayed is better than the other one. There are 160 models on display and Radha Mallappa, 54, has spent nearly Rs. four crore to make these lovely pieces using seashells and conchs. She said that each seashell costs Rs.8.

The other attractions, lovebirds made out of paddy grains, family of crows made out of hair, dinosaurs blooming out of a nib all displays the extraordinary talent of Radha Mallappa.

“I am very keen to create all the seven wonders of the world using seashells. But for that I do not have sufficient space,”  she said.

Senior artists S.M. Jambukeshwara and L. Shivalingappa, littérateur S. Ramprasad, Akhila Karnataka Sharana Sahitya Parishat Mysuru Unit President G.R. Parameshwarappa and others were present.

Entry fee: The entry fee to the museum is Rs.50 for adults and Rs.25 for children. It is open from 9 am to 6 pm.