New Delhi: December 18: Renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, the creator of the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, passed away. It was reported that he passed away on Wednesday at midnight. He breathed his last at his residence in Noida. He was 100 years old at the time of his death. His son Anil Sutar confirmed the news. He said, “It is with deep sorrow that we would like to inform you that my father Ram Vanji Sutar passed away at our residence on December 17 at midnight.”
Who was Ram Sutar?
Born in February 1925 in Gondur village of Dhule district, Ram Sutar trained under Sriram Krishna Joshi. He was a Mayo Gold Medallist at JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai. Attracted to the art form from a young age, he joined the Archaeological Survey of India at Ajanta-Ellora. He also joined the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Delhi. But in 1959, he resigned from his job to make sculptures. Ram Sutar is credited with creating over 8,000 works worldwide, including over 200 statues of Gandhi.
In 1999, he received the Padma Shri and later in 2016, Padma Bhushan from the Government of India. In October 2018, Sutar received the Tagore Award for cultural harmony of 2016. He was chosen for Maharashtra Bhushan, the state government’s highest civilian award.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the passing of Shri Ram Sutar Ji.
The Prime Minister said that Shri Ram Sutar Ji was a remarkable sculptor whose mastery gave India some of its most iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. Shri Modi said that his works will always be admired as powerful expressions of India’s history, culture and collective spirit, and that he has immortalised national pride for generations to come. The Prime Minister added that his works will keep inspiring artists and citizens alike.
The Prime Minister wrote on X;
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Ram Sutar Ji, a remarkable sculptor whose mastery gave India some of its most iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. His works will always be admired as powerful expressions of India’s history, culture and collective spirit. He has immortalised national pride for generations to come. His works will keep inspiring artists and citizens alike. My heartfelt condolences to his family, admirers and all who were touched by his remarkable life and work. Om Shanti.”
