Creator of the Statue of Unity Legendary Sculptor Ram Sutar Died

Creator of the Statue of Unity Legendary Sculptor Ram Sutar Died

Why in News? 

Renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar passed away at age of 100 on December 18, 2025, in Noida. He designed the 182-meter Statue of Unity and over 500 iconic monuments globally.

Who was Ram Vanji Sutar?

• Early Life: Ram Vanji Sutar was born on 19 February 1925 in Gondur village in the Dhule district of present-day Maharashtra. He came from a modest family with no formal artistic legacy but developed a deep interest in sculpting from his earliest years. As a child, he was drawn to art and modelling, experimenting with clay and small figures long before he received formal training. 
• Artistic Education: Sutar pursued formal art education at the prestigious Sir J. J. School of Art and Architecture in Mumbai, one of India’s oldest and most respected art institutions. There he studied sculpture and modelling and graduated as a gold medallist. His education provided him with technical mastery of materials such as bronze, stone, and metal. This academic foundation helped him to later execute large-scale national works.
• Professional Beginning: After completing his education, Sutar began his professional journey in 1954 with an appointment as a modeller at the Department of Archeology’s South Western Circle in Aurangabad. Here, he worked on restoring ancient sculptures at the Ajanta and Ellora caves, iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites. Later, in 1958, he briefly worked as a technical assistant with the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity in Delhi.
• Philosophy: Sutar believed in the power of public art to inspire collective identity and foster cultural pride. His works are known for their monumental scale, expressive realism, and deep symbolism. Sculpture for him was not merely aesthetic creation but a medium to reflect national consciousness and communal memory.
• Awards: Sutar was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016, two of India’s highest civilian awards. In 2025, he was also conferred the Maharashtra Bhushan Award, the highest civilian distinction of the state, in recognition of his monumental contributions.
• Later Years: He collaborated closely with his son Anil Ram Sutar, who also became a sculptor and continued many of his projects. Sutar passed away on 18 December 2025 at his residence in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, at the age of 100, having been suffering from age-related illnesses. 

Major Sculptural Works and National Contributions

• 1960: In 1960, Ram Vanji Sutar completed his first major national work at the Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh. The sculpture stood 45 feet high and represented Mother Chambal holding two children. The children symbolised the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The monument reflected inter-state unity after river water sharing. 

• 1970: In 1970, Sutar created several Mahatma Gandhi statues installed in Indian cities and abroad. One of his most respected works is the seated bronze Gandhi statue placed later at the Indian Parliament complex in New Delhi. The statue measures about 7.5 feet in height and shows Gandhi in a calm meditative posture. The simple posture conveyed moral authority rather than physical power. 

• 1980: In 1980, Sutar designed a prominent statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in New Delhi. The statue stands 12 feet tall and is cast in bronze. Bose appears in military attire with a firm stance. The posture reflects discipline and determination. The sculpture enhanced the narrative of India’s freedom struggle in public spaces.

• 1990: During the 1990s, Sutar became widely known for sculpting Dr BR Ambedkar statues installed across India. One early notable work appeared in Lucknow in 1995. These statues ranged from 10 feet to over 40 feet in height depending on location. Ambedkar was shown holding the Constitution to represent social justice.

• 2010: In 2010, Sutar completed the design for the Statue of Equality dedicated to Saint Ramanujacharya. The statue stands 216 feet tall and is located near Hyderabad. The structure was inaugurated later in 2022. The statue rests on a 54-foot base building, bringing the total structure height to 270 feet. It symbolises equality and spiritual harmony.

• 2016: In 2016, Sutar designed the 125-foot Dr BR Ambedkar statue for Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh. The statue includes a 51-foot pedestal and a 74-foot figure. The bronze-coated structure weighs several hundred tonnes. It is one of the tallest Ambedkar statues in the world. The monument reinforces democratic ideals in the planned capital region.

• 2018: In 2018, Sutar completed his most iconic work. The Statue of Unity stands 182 metres or 597 feet tall. It is located at Kevadia in Gujarat. The statue depicts Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in a walking pose. The statue uses steel frames and bronze cladding.