In the Hands of Ram V. Sutar, Stone Learned to Speak
— Lalit Gargg—
Ram V. Sutar’s century-long life was not merely a calculation of years; it was a living extension of the centuries-old spiritual discipline of Indian sculpture. His passing at the age of one hundred feels like the sudden silence of a language that once made stone speak, like a pause in the emotions born between hammer and chisel. He was among those rare artists for whom stone, metal, and bronze were never mere materials—they became consciousness itself. What emerged from his hands were not just forms, but life.
The inanimate awakened under his touch, and sculpture absorbed the very heartbeat of humanity. Ram V. Sutar was not only a great sculptor; he was a philosopher in himself. His life stood as proof that art is not merely an expression of beauty, but an expansion of humanity. When he sculpted a great personality, he did not simply carve facial features; he gave form to the inner struggles, resolve, compassion, and vision that defined that life. This is why his statues seem to look back at the viewer—silent, yet deeply communicative—transcending time to inspire generations.
Today, the Statue of Unity stands as the tallest statue in the world. But its height should not be measured only in feet and meters. Embedded within it, along with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s iron will, are Ram V. Sutar’s own penance, patience, and profound insight. This monument is not merely a national symbol; it is a global proclamation of the strength and capability of Indian sculptural art. Whether it is the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex or the countless sculptures spread across India and the world, his art bridged history with the present and made the present meaningful for the future. Stone spoke through his hands, but it was humanity that spoke through his heart. He understood that while creating a statue of a leader, saint, or thinker, physical resemblance alone is insufficient; what is required is a likeness of the soul. Therefore, he first studied the personality—read it, understood it, absorbed it. His creative discipline was an extraordinary confluence of study, meditation, and sensitivity. Perhaps this is why his craftsmanship combined meticulous detail with a vibrant vitality that touched viewers at a deeply human level.
Ram V. Sutar lived for 100 years and in his later years struggled with age-related ailments. He was born on 19 February 1925 in Gondur village of Dhule district, Maharashtra, into a poor family. His full name was Ram Vanji Sutar. He was one of India’s most renowned sculptors. Sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi created by him have been installed in more than three hundred cities across the world. In recognition of his unique artistic devotion, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. In October 2018, he was also honored with the Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony (for 2016). His father, Vanji Hansraj, was a carpenter by caste and profession. Ram Sutar married Pramila in 1952, and in 1957 they were blessed with a son, Anil Ram Sutar, an architect by profession, who now oversees his father’s studio and workshop in Noida.
Despite such towering achievements, Ram V. Sutar remained an embodiment of simplicity. There was no trace of arrogance in him. He was a seeker of sculpture, not of noise or publicity. His work spoke for itself, while he remained silently eloquent. He proved that true greatness does not depend on self-promotion; it is complete in itself, and time inevitably recognizes it. His art was deeply rooted in Indian tradition, yet his vision was thoroughly modern and global. He drew inspiration from the past, understood the needs of the present, and shaped forms for the future. That is why his sculptures are not confined to any single era—they remain relevant in every age, carrying historical dignity, contemporary awareness, and hope for tomorrow.
Inspired by his guru Ramakrishna Joshi, Ram Sutar went to Mumbai and enrolled at the J.J. School of Art. In 1953, he secured the Mayo Gold Medal by achieving the highest marks in modeling. As a modeler with the Archaeology Department in Aurangabad, he worked between 1954 and 1958 on the restoration of sculptures in the ancient Ajanta and Ellora caves. From 1958 to 1959, he also served as a technical assistant in the Audio-Visual Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. In 1959, he voluntarily left government service to pursue life as a professional sculptor. He later lived with his family in Noida. Among his many remarkable works are the 45-foot-high Chambal Devi statue at the Gangasagar Dam; the 17-foot statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat; the 21-foot statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Amritsar; the 18-foot statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the Parliament House, New Delhi; the 9-foot statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Jammu; the bust of President Shankar Dayal Sharma; and the bronze Krishna–Arjuna Chariot memorial at Brahma Sarovar. Above all, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat—the world’s tallest statue—stands as a monumental testament to Ram Sutar’s extraordinary artistic mastery.
Expressing grief over his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has lost an artist who elevated the nation’s cultural identity to new global heights. Home Minister Amit Shah described him as a pillar of Indian artistic tradition, stating that his sculptures would continue to connect future generations with the nation’s great personalities. Numerous politicians, artists, and thinkers echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging that Ram V. Sutar’s passing marked not merely the loss of an individual, but the end of an era. Yet, perhaps Ram V. Sutar himself valued such tributes less than his work. For him, the greatest honor was when someone stood silently before one of his sculptures—reflecting, feeling, and immersing themselves in thought. He made his life as vibrant as his art. His personality was gentle, simple, and deeply humane. Wherever he went, he became a quiet source of inspiration.
Ram Sutar’s life was a living school of sculpture and art, teaching that art is not just technique—it is spiritual discipline. Before shaping stone, one must shape the mind; before carving form, one must purify vision. This may explain why his creative energy remained undiminished until the final moments of his century-long journey. Age, for him, was only a number; his passion for art never grew old. As we bid him farewell today, this farewell is not truly a goodbye. He lives on—in his sculptures, in his craft, in his sensitivity. Whenever someone bows their head before the Gandhi statue in the Parliament complex, whenever someone feels the spirit of national unity under the shadow of the Statue of Unity, Ram V. Sutar will be present—like a heart beating within stone, like a consciousness that speaks through silence. His life testifies that an ordinary human being, through dedication, resolve, and compassion, can rise to extraordinary heights. He gave life to stone, but his greater achievement was giving meaning to life itself. A humble tribute to this towering figure of Indian sculptural art. His departure leaves us not with emptiness, but with a profound responsibility—to ensure that the lamp of art, culture, and humanity he lit never fades.
By Lalit Gargg
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