Mortal artist’s immortal works

He is dead; he is alive. He died at 100; he would live for many hundreds to come. He learnt the art while tinkering with the equipment with his carpenter father; he reached the pinnacle. He was not prolifically popular; he furthered the popularity of the popular. The tales of his life and legacy have no ending but the description has to end to switch over to his unending contributions to the art of sculpting.

The ‘statue man’, Ram Vanji Sutar, (1925-2025), who passed away last month, chiselled the heroics of the National Movement stalwarts, etching them into the people’s memories using clay and metals. The 597-foot Statue of Unity on the shore of Sabarmati expresses his artistic genius silently. Gandhi's bust in the premises of the old Parliament reminds the humbleness and the towering presence of the Father of the Nation as well as the artist par excellence.

Ram Vanji Sutar

Besides these works, his creative excellence is reflected in the statues of Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, B. R. Ambedkar, Jayaprakash Narayan, Indira Gandhi, Shivaji Maharaj, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and Jyotirao Phule.

Born into a carpenter family in a village in Maharashtra’s Dhule district, Sutar apprenticed to his father. While his formal education ended early, he struggled and made it to Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai, graduating as a gold medalist.

In 1961, his first monumental work created waves in the art domain. Called Chambal Devi, it was located at the Gandhi Sagar Dam, Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh. Carved from a monolithic stone, this 45-foot-tall aesthetically designed statue showed Chambal Devi, the river goddess, with two boys on either side, representing Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Sutar depicted MP as a content child on the right while Rajasthan, being nourished by the deity, was placed on the left. Masterfully capturing the essence of the mega project – the spirit of cooperation between the two States – it showed how deeply Sutar contemplated his subject and art.

In 1966, Sutar created a 10-foot bronze statue of Govind Ballabh Pant, Uttar Pradesh’s first Chief Minister, which was installed at the roundabout near Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi. It is now relocated to Pandit Pant Marg. The statue showcased Sutar’s signature realism, a hallmark of all his later works, capturing the well-known freedom fighter’s dignity and strength. In an interview to The Hindu (2019) Sutar had said: “As a sculptor, I am a realist to the core, I make no changes. I like my creations to be natural and life-like.”

Famed for his numerous Gandhi busts and statues, they reflect Sutar’s immense regard and respect for this towering personality. Numbering more than 300 -- the tallest being the 72-foot bronze work in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan -- these works are in varied dimensions and materials, and elegantly capture different moods of Bapu.

Highlighting this aspect for First Draft, Delhi’s celebrated contemporary sculptor, K.S. Radhakrishnan, remarked: “Among Sutar’s works, his best are those of Mahatma Gandhi. He was probably one of the best sculptors who could successfully bring alive the whole spirit of Gandhiji. He got the body postures, features, walk, facial expressions, attire -- everything connected with the Father of the Nation right. For me, he was the first and last artist when it came to Gandhi’s statues and busts.”

Refusing to single out one among these, Radhakrishnan added: “All his Gandhi works are excellent…one can’t really choose the best!” According to seasoned sculptor Sunita Lamba, Sutar’s best Gandhi work is the 16-foot bronze statue in the Parliament House precincts. “It depicts Bapu in a meditative mood; its expression, posture, and texture I highly appreciate,” she told First Draft. The apostle of peace stands out for its tranquil and solemn expression.

In several media interactions, Sutar had recalled how Gandhiji had made a lasting impact on him when he saw the leader for the first time as a child in his village. Bapu’s message on helping the needy, cleanliness, and harmony were permanently etched on his impressionable mind.

Commending Sutar’s dedication and devotion in creating huge installations, Lamba zeroed in on Sardar Patel’s statue as his best work. “It is highly praiseworthy and is now considered iconic.”

The State of Unity is impressive and life-like. It brings to the fore one of India’s tallest leaders’ dignity, grandeur, strength, composure, and integrity. The authentic depiction of India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister proves why he was referred to as the Iron Man of India, one responsible for the integration of 562 princely states into the country. Sutar, by choosing the leader’s prominent attire, the shawl and dhoti for the statue, struck a chord with people instantly.

Another feather in Sutar’s cap was the 108-foot Statue of Prosperity of ‘Nadaprabhu’ Kempegowda, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli. Recognised by the World Book of Records as the first and tallest bronze statue of a city’s founder, its striking elements are realism and intricate detailing. Sculpted using steel and bronze, the statue portrays Kempegowda, a governor under the Vijayanagara Empire and famous for the development of Bengaluru Pete (area of Bengaluru City), in a standing position, holding a sword in the right hand, manifesting his vision and strength.

Lamba feels that upcoming artists can learn a great deal from Sutar, his vast body of works, and his journey. “They can draw inspiration from how he worked and the scale of his works. One can learn from his dedication and devotion.”