Sculptor Ram Sutar, designer of Statue of Unity, passes away
What's the story
Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, the designer behind the world's tallest statue, Statue of Unity, passed away late on Wednesday night at his Noida residence. He was 100 years old and had been suffering from age-related ailments. His son Anil Sutar confirmed the news in a press note, saying, "It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on 17th December midnight at our residence."
Background
Early life and education of Ram Sutar
Sutar was born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village of Maharashtra's Dhule district. He graduated from the JJ School of Art and Architecture in Mumbai as a gold medallist. His career began with restoring ancient sculptures at Ellora and Ajanta Caves before he established his own art studio in Noida. Over a career spanning seven decades, Sutar created over 50 major works.
Achievements
Sutar's notable works and accolades
His most famous creation is the Statue of Unity, which pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Other notable works include the iconic Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament and Gandhi busts in over 450 cities globally. He also designed the 108-foot-tall Kempe Gowda statue at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. His other work include the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar, which will be installed at the grand memorial at Indu Mills in Mumbai to memorialize the architect of the Constitution.
Awards
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999
His creations have often been likened to the mastery of Auguste Rodin, the French sculptor, and the Italian sculptor Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni also known as Michelangelo. For his contributions to art and culture, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. Sutar was recently honored with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the state's highest civilian award.