Ram Vanji Sutar is a famous Indian Sculptor who has sculpted more than 50 monumental sculptures around the World. He has been active in this field Since the 1950s. He has gained popularity for his sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi. He will be remembered forever for his dedication to the art and architecture.
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Biography/Wiki
Ram V. Sutar was born on 19 February 1925 (Age 93; as in 2018) in a poor Vishwakarma family in Gondur village of Dhule district of Maharashtra. His father Vanji Hansraj was also a carpenter and sculptor. As a child, he developed his interest in this profession. In his childhood, he was motivated towards art by Shriram Krishna Joshi, whom he considers his mentor. It was Shriram Krishna Joshi who encouraged him to join Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay (Now, Mumbai). In the last year of his study, he topped his class and won the prestigious Mayo Gold medal for modelling (Sculpture).
Ram V Sutar making sculptures
Family
He was born to Vanji Hansraj and Sitabai. He was the only son of his parents.
In 1952, he married to Pramila. He has a son, Anil Sutar who is also a professional sculptor.
Ram Sutar (left) with his son Anil (right)
Career
From 1954 to 1958, he worked at Ajanta and Ellora caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. He restored the old statues of the caves. In 1958, Sutar became a Technical Assistant in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in New Delhi for preparing various types of model for the five years plan. In order to become an Independent professional sculptor, he left his government job in 1959.
His first noticeable work was the 45-feet Goddess Chambal sculpture (Also known as Chambal Monument) at the Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh, India.
The statue of Chambal Mother was sculpted by Ram V Sutar
The most well-known work of him is the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which is recognised Worldwide. The government of India presented it to Italy, France, Germany, Russia, England, Argentina, etc. He has also sculpted a 17-feet high sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi in Meditation pose, which has been installed near Parliament House, Delhi and Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi on 13 April 2015 in Hannover, Germany
His another notable work is the 21-feet high Equestrian statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh which was installed at Amritsar in Punjab.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh statue in Amritsar was sculpted by Ram V Sutar
He also designed the Statue of Unity, an iconic 182-meter tall landmark statue (tallest in the world) dedicated to Sardar Patel, which is situated near Narmada Dam, Vadodara in Gujarat, India.
Statue of Unity was designed by Ram V. Sutar
Awards
In 1999, Sutar was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India, and in 2016, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan Award.
Ram V. Sutar receiving Padma Bhushan in 2016
Interesting Facts
- In his childhood, he was a carpenter too. He used to assist his father in his carpentry.
- As a kid, he once had the privilege to see Mahatma Gandhi.
- PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity, the statue of Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It took Ram V. Sutar almost three years to complete the Statue of Unity. The statue is worth more than $33 million and made up of bronze.
