India has lost one of its most prolific artistic giants. Ram Vanji Sutar, the master sculptor whose hands shaped the iconic Statue of Unity, breathed his last at his Noida home after a brief period of age-related illness. Having celebrated his 100th birthday in February 2025, Sutar’s career spanned over seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of modern India.
A Century of Artistic Excellence
Born in 1925 in Maharashtra’s Dhule district, Sutar’s journey began with a gold medal from the Sir J.J. School of Art. His early work involved the restoration of ancient sculptures at the Ajanta and Ellora caves, a foundation that deeply influenced his mastery of realistic bronze sculpting.
#WATCH | Noida, UP: Renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, creator of the Statue of Unity, passes away at the age of 100. pic.twitter.com/vHZ7mHnm9o
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2025
The Man Who Built Monuments
While he created over 8,000 sculptures globally, Sutar is most celebrated for the 182-meter Statue of Unity in Gujarat. However, his legacy extends far beyond a single monument:
- The Meditating Gandhi: His bust of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most replicated artworks in the world, gifted by the Indian government to over 150 countries.
- Parliamentary Icons: He sculpted the massive statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh that grace the Parliament House complex.
- Recent Milestones: Even in his late 90s, he remained active, designing the Statue of Prosperity (Kempegowda) in Bengaluru and working on the upcoming Dr. B.R. Ambedkar memorial.
Honors and Legacy
Sutar was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2016) and the Padma Shri (1999). Just weeks before his passing, he was conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan, the state’s highest civilian award, at a special ceremony held at his Noida residence.
He is survived by his son, Anil Sutar, an architect and sculptor who worked alongside him for decades to scale his father's visionary models into towering reality.
