Renowned Indian sculptor and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram V. Sutar passed away at the age of 100, family members confirmed. He breathed his last at his son’s residence in Noida after battling age-related ailments, marking the end of a remarkable era in Indian sculpture.
Born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village of Maharashtra into a modest Vishwakarma family, Sutar rose to national prominence through his extraordinary talent and dedication to the art of sculpture. Over his long career, he created numerous celebrated works that earned recognition across India and internationally.
Sutar was best known for designing the 182-metre Statue of Unity in Gujarat, built on the banks of the Narmada River in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This monumental work brought him global acclaim and established him as one of the foremost sculptors of modern India. He also designed the 125-foot-tall Dr B.R. Ambedkar statue at Hyderabad’s Tank Bund, which has become a major landmark and city attraction.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian art, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. Following his demise, several political leaders, cultural icons, and members of the artistic community expressed their condolences, praising his enduring legacy and contributions to the field of sculpture.