The world of Indian art and sculpture has lost one of its most towering figures. Ram Vanji Sutar, the visionary sculptor behind the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, and numerous other iconic landmarks, passed away early on Thursday morning. He was 100 years old and had been unwell due to age-related ailments at his residence in Noida.
A Legacy Cast in Bronze and Stone
Born on February 19, 1925, in Maharashtra's Dhule district, Sutar's journey into monumental art began in childhood upon seeing pictures of the Statue of Liberty. He nurtured a dream to build the world's biggest statue, a dream he spectacularly realized decades later. A gold medallist from Mumbai's Sir JJ School of Art, he began his career as a modeller with the Department of Archaeology in 1954, where he played a crucial role in restoring sculptures at the historic Ajanta-Ellora cave complex.
Driven by a passion for creating "larger than life" sculptures, Sutar left a secure job at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in 1959 to dedicate himself fully to his art. His belief in grand scale and meticulous detail redefined India's landscape of public monuments. His most famous work, the 522-foot Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, stands as the tallest statue in the world overlooking the Narmada river in Gujarat.
Iconic Creations Across the Nation
Sutar's artistic imprint stretches from the national capital to the southern tech hub. His iconic works include:
- The serene, meditating statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside the old Parliament building in New Delhi.
- The 45-foot-tall Chambal monument.
- The 108-foot bronze Statue of Prosperity of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
- A 91-foot bronze statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Rajkot Fort, Maharashtra, unveiled earlier this year and created in collaboration with his son, Anil Ram Sutar.
For his extraordinary contributions, Sutar was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999, the Padma Bhushan in 2016, the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony in 2018, and the Maharashtra Bhushan, the state's highest civilian award, in November 2025.
Tributes Pour In for a Humble Master
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning, paying tribute on social media platform X. He called Sutar a "remarkable sculptor whose mastery gave India some of its most iconic landmarks." The PM added that Sutar's works would "always vividly showcase India's history, culture and collective consciousness."
Fellow artists and institutions remembered him not just for his art, but for his profound humility and generosity. Dr. Nand Lal Thakur, Vice-Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi, recalled Sutar's childlike enthusiasm in showing his works. The Akademi hosted a major retrospective for his centenary earlier this year, which Sutar attended daily, warmly engaging with students.
Sculptor Naresh Kumar Kumavat, creator of the Statue of Lord Shiva in Nathdwara, called his death an "irreparable loss," noting that "an entire era of Indian monument art comes to a dignified close." He shared a touching anecdote where Sutar, despite being senior, reciprocated a gesture of respect from another artist, stating, "It is best when an artist is honoured by another artist."
Young artist Mohit Jangra, who met the centenarian last year, was struck by his eagerness to share knowledge. "He was always eager to share his knowledge with youngsters like me," Jangra said, highlighting the master sculptor's enduring commitment to nurturing the next generation.
Ram Vanji Sutar's physical presence may be gone, but his colossal creations, standing tall across the length and breadth of India, ensure that his artistic vision and legacy will endure for centuries to come.
