Veteran sculptor Ram Sutar, was awarded the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award, the highest civilian honour instituted by the Maharashtra government. The 100-year-old artist, renowned for his mastery in bronze and realistic sculptures, continues to be a revered figure in the world of art and sculpture.
About Ram Sutar
- Birthplace: Dhule, Maharashtra.
- Education: Gold medalist from J.J. School of Art, Bombay.
- Specialization: Renowned for his realistic sculptures in bronze, with works appreciated globally.
Key Contributions and Iconic Works
Statue of Unity (Gujarat): World’s tallest statue at 182 meters, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and key architect of India’s political integration.
Mahatma Gandhi Statue (Parliament of India): Designed a seated statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which also has a larger replica at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
Kempegowda Statue (Bengaluru): Created the 108-ft tall statue of Kempegowda at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue (Mumbai): Currently working on the grand statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar at Indu Mills, Mumbai, to honour the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
Lord Ram Statue (Ayodhya): Designing the 251-metre tall statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
Busts of Mahatma Gandhi: His Gandhi busts have been installed in over 450 cities globally, including France, USA, Italy, Argentina, Russia, and South Africa, earning international acclaim.
Global Recognition and Legacy
- Ram Sutar’s work is often compared to the mastery of Rodin and Michelangelo.
- His studio attracts artists from around the world, who visit to learn his sculpting techniques.
- His son, Dr. Anil Sutar, is also a noted sculptor and painter, continuing the family’s artistic legacy.
About Maharashtra Bhushan Award
The Maharashtra Bhushan Award, established by Maharashtra government, is conferred to individuals for exceptional contributions across various fields such as arts, literature, science, music, sports, and social work. It includes a cash prize of ₹25 lakh and a memento.
Notable Past Recipients of Maharashtra Bhushan Award
- Purushottam Laxman Deshpande (1996 – Literature)
- Lata Mangeshkar (1997 – Arts, Music)
- Sachin Tendulkar (2001 – Sports)
- Baba Amte (2004 – Social Work)
- Ratan Tata (2006 – Public Administration)
- Asha Bhosale (2021 – Arts, Music)
- Appasaheb Dharmadhikari (2022 – Social Work)
- Ashok Saraf (2023 – Arts, Cinema)