The world of art and India's cultural landscape has lost a towering figure. Eminent sculptor Ram V Sutar, whose globally celebrated works include the Statue of Unity, passed away on Thursday. He was 100 years old. While his creations are landmarks across the nation, Sutar shared a particularly deep bond with Assam, having designed two of its most significant modern monuments.
A Legacy Cast in Bronze: Sutar's Assam Connection
Sutar's profound connection to Assam is immortalized in metal and stone. His most recent masterpiece for the state was the 125-foot tall "Statue of Valour" depicting the legendary Ahom general, Lachit Borphukan. This imposing structure was installed at Lachit's birthplace in Holongapar, Jorhat district, and was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. The bronze statue itself stands 84 feet tall on a 41-foot pedestal at the general's historic maidam, or burial site.
Tragically, the centenarian artist did not live to see the inauguration of his final work in Assam. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to unveil an 80-foot bronze statue of Assam's first chief minister, Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi, in Guwahati this Saturday. This statue, now a posthumous tribute to Sutar's skill, will stand as a testament to his enduring craftsmanship.
Nation Mourns an Artistic Giant
The news of Sutar's demise prompted an outpouring of grief and tribute from political leaders and the artistic community. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences on social media platform X. He stated that the state was privileged to have Sutar sculpt the grand statues of Lachit Borphukan and Gopinath Bordoloi.
"His personal involvement in breathing life into the statues of Assam’s heroes from two different eras showed his range of work and his exceptional craftsmanship," Sarma wrote. "In his passing away the nation has truly lost an artist par excellence."
Union Shipping Minister and former Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also mourned the loss. He highlighted Sutar's role in shaping national identity through art, writing, "He carved India’s history into stone and bronze, giving us eternal symbols of our culture like the Statue of Unity."
An Eternal Legacy in Metal and Stone
Cabinet Minister Ashok Singhal termed Sutar's death a profound loss to "Bharat's artistic and cultural heritage." He emphasized that the sculptor's legacy would continue to inspire through his majestic works. The statues of Lachit Borphukan and Gopinath Bordoloi are not just monuments; they are reflections of Sutar's mastery and his devotion to national history.
Ram V Sutar's journey spanned a century, during which he gave form to India's pride and historical narrative. From the world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, to the valorous icons of Assam, his hands shaped symbols that will educate and inspire generations. His passing marks the end of an era, but his colossal creations ensure his memory remains etched in the skyline and soul of the nation.
