Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, has passed away in Noida at the age of 100. His death is an irreparable loss to the art world.
पद्मभूषण मशहूर मूर्तिकार राम सुतार का निधन, संसद की गांधी प्रतिमा से लेकर स्टैच्यू ऑफ यूनिटी तक को दिया आकार
The great sculptor Ram Sutar, who brought global recognition to Indian sculpture, is no longer with us. The sculptor of the world’s tallest statue, the ‘Statue of Unity’, and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, Ram Sutar passed away late Wednesday night at his residence in Noida. He was 100 years old and had been battling age-related illnesses for a long time. His son, Anil Sutar, informed the media about his father’s death on Thursday.
Breathed his last at his Noida residence
Anil Sutar issued a statement saying that Ram Vanji Sutar passed away peacefully at his residence on the night of December 17th. With his passing, a golden chapter in the world of Indian art has come to an end.
From a humble family to global recognition
Ram Sutar was born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village of the then Dhule district of Maharashtra, into a simple family. From childhood, he was inclined towards art and sculpture. He received his education from the prestigious J.J. School of Art and Architecture in Mumbai and won a gold medal. This laid the strong foundation for his artistic career.
Left government job, dedicated his life to sculpture
At one point, Ram Sutar was an advisor in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He designed models for the Five-Year Plans, but in 1959, he left his government job. After that, he dedicated his entire life to sculpture. In his long career, he created more than 50 monuments and statues, which are now installed in India and abroad.
First major recognition with the Chambal statue
Ram Sutar received his first major recognition with the statue of the Chambal River at the Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh. This 45-foot-tall statue was carved from a single rock. It depicts the Chambal River as ‘Mother Chambal’, with her two children representing Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. This work impressed the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and after this, Ram Sutar received many major projects.
Immortal images of Gandhi and Shivaji
Among Ram Sutar’s works, the statues of Mahatma Gandhi were the most celebrated. The statue of Gandhi seated in a meditative pose in the Parliament complex is one of his major works. The bust of Gandhi, designed by him on the occasion of Gandhi’s birth centenary in 1969, became famous worldwide. India presented replicas of it to Britain, France, Russia, and several Latin American countries. The largest replica is installed at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
In addition, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on horseback is also among his notable works.
Statue of Unity: The Grandest Work of His Life
Ram Sutar’s most celebrated and historic creation is the ‘Statue of Unity’ located in Kevadia, Gujarat, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. The total height of this statue is 240 meters, including a 58-meter base. It is almost twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty in the United States and is recognized today as the tallest statue in the world.
Honors and Achievements
Ram Sutar has been bestowed with several major honors for his contributions. He received the Padma Shri award in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan award in 2016. Recently, the Maharashtra government also honored him with its highest award, the ‘Maharashtra Bhushan Award’.
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