Ram Vanji Sutar is a famous Indian sculptor who has carved more than 50 monumental sculptures around the world. He has been active in this field since the 1950s. He is popular for his sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi. He will forever be remembered for his dedication to art and architecture.
Biography/Wiki
Ram V. Sutar was born on February 19, 1925, in a poor Vishwakarma family in Guntur village, Dhule district, Maharashtra (age 93; as of 2018) . His father Vanji Hansraj was also a carpenter and sculptor. He became interested in this profession as a child. During his childhood, he was inspired by Shriram Krishna Joshi, whom he considered his mentor. It was Shriram Krishna Joshi who encouraged him to join JJ Sir Art Institute, Mumbai (now Mumbai). In his final year of study, he won the prestigious Mayo Model Gold Medal (Sculpture) at the top of his class.
Ram V Sutar makes sculptures
family
He was born to Vanji Hansraj and Sitabai. He is the only son of his parents.
In 1952, he married Pramila. He has a son, Anil Sutar, who is also a professional sculptor.
Ram Sutar (left) and son Anil (right)
Profession
From 1954 to 1958, he worked at the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. He restored the old statues in the cave. In 1958, Sutar became technical assistant exist Ministry of Information and Broadcasting exist New Delhi Various types of models are prepared for five-year plans. In order to become an independent professional sculptor, he resigned from his government job in 1959.
His first notable work was the 45-foot sculpture of Goddess Chabal (also known as the Chabal Monument) at the Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh, India.
Mother Chabal statue sculpted by Ram V Sutar
His most famous work is the world-recognized bust of Mahatma Gandhi. The Indian government gave it to Italy, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, Argentina and other countries. He also sculpted a 17-foot-tall sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi in a meditative pose, which was installed near Parliament House and Gandhi Nagar in Delhi, Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Hannover, Germany on April 13, 2015
Another famous work of his is the 21-foot equestrian statue of King Ranjit Singh installed in Amritsar, Punjab.
Statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Amritsar sculpted by Ram V Sutar
He also designed the Statue of Unity, an iconic 182-meter-tall statue (the tallest in the world) dedicated to Sardar Patel, located near the Narmada Dam in Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
Statue of Unity designed by Ram V. Sutar
Awards
In 1999, Sutar was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government, and in 2016, he was awarded the Padma Shri.
Ram V. Sutar received the Padma Shri in 2016
interesting facts
- As a child, he was also a carpenter. He used to help his father with carpentry.
- As a child, he once had the privilege of meeting Mahatma Gandhi.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity, the statue of Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It took Ram V. Sutar nearly three years to complete the Statue of Unity. The statue is made of bronze and is worth more than $33 million.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education