Statue of Unity sculptor Ram Sutar, 99, to receive Maharashtra Bhushan: CM Devendra Fadnavis | Mumbai News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Veteran sculptor Ram Sutar, who designed the iconic Statue of Unity, has been chosen for the Maharashtra Bhushan, the state’s highest civilian award, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday.
Sutar, who turned 100 last month, is a Padma Bhushan awardee known for creating the world’s tallest statue, the 182-metre-high Statue of Unity. The decision to confer him with the Maharashtra Bhushan was taken unanimously by a state-appointed committee on March 12.
“He is a centenarian but continues to work, currently engaged in sculpting the Ambedkar statue at the Indu Mill memorial project in Mumbai,” Fadnavis said. The award includes a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh and a memento.
Sutar, along with his son Anil, has been associated with several major projects, including the upcoming 251-metre statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, a 153-feet statue of Lord Shiva in Bengaluru, and a 100-feet statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Pune.
Last year, his firm, Ram Sutar Art Creations Pvt Ltd, was commissioned to build a new 60-feet statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg, after the previous 35-feet statue collapsed, sparking political controversy.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ram Sutar awarded Maharashtra Bhushan – Veteran
sculptor and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Sutar, who designed the Statue of Unity, has been chosen for Maharashtra’s highest civilian honor. - Centenarian sculptor still active – At 100, Sutar continues his work and is currently sculpting the Ambedkar statue at Mumbai’s Indu Mill memorial.
- Major projects to his name – Sutar and his son Anil are working on monumental statues, including a 251-metre Lord Ram statue in Ayodhya and a 153-feet Lord Shiva statue in Bengaluru.
- Award details – The Maharashtra Bhushan award carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh and a memento, as announced by CM Devendra Fadnavis.
- Recent commissions – His firm is building a 60-feet statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg after the previous one collapsed, triggering political controversy.