Sculptor Behind Famous Ambedkar Statues Passes Away: Ram Sutar's Legacy of Equality Lives On

Noida- The Indian art world mourns the loss of a visionary who immortalized the ideals of social justice in bronze and stone. Padma Bhushan awardee and renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar passed away on December 18 at his residence in Noida. He was 100 years old and had been battling age-related ailments. Sutar's masterpieces, particularly his towering tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, India's architect of the Constitution have become global symbols of equality, inspiring millions to champion justice and dignity for all.

Born on February 19, 1925, in the small village of Gondur in Maharashtra's Dhule district to a Vishwakarma family of artisans, Sutar's journey began with a deep-rooted passion for sculpture. Trained at Mumbai's Sir J.J. School of Art, he spent over six decades crafting more than 90 monumental works that span India and beyond, including the world's tallest statue, the 182-meter Statue of Unity honoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat. Yet, it was his profound affinity for Dr. Ambedkar that defined much of his later legacy, with Sutar often describing the task of sculpting the Dalit icon as "etching the soul of equality into metal." His son, Anil Sutar, revealed that his father's designs captured Ambedkar's resolute stance from the Constituent Assembly, blending historical accuracy with timeless inspiration.

Honored with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016, alongside the Maharashtra Bhushan Award, Sutar's creations grace countries like the US, France, Argentina, Italy, Russia, and Malaysia. But his Ambedkar statues stand out for their scale and symbolism, pushing the boundaries of public art to honor the fight against caste discrimination.

Master of Monumental Equality: Sutar's Iconic Ambedkar Creations

Sutar's genius shone brightest in his Ambedkar sculptures, where he masterfully scaled human resolve to awe-inspiring heights. Here are some of his most celebrated works dedicated to Baba Saheb:

• Hyderabad's 125-Foot Giant: The Tallest Ambedkar Statue (India's Pride): Unveiled on April 14, 2023, Ambedkar's birth anniversary, by then-Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, this bronze behemoth stands 125 feet tall (175 feet including pedestal) on the serene banks of Hussain Sagar Lake near the state secretariat. Weighing 465 tons and spanning 11.4 acres, the statue, co-sculpted with Anil Sutar, cost ₹146 crore and includes a museum and library. It symbolizes Ambedkar's unyielding pursuit of social reform, drawing lakhs of visitors annually as a beacon of constitutional values.

Mumbai's Ambitious Statue of Equality: 450 Feet of Unfinished Glory (Under Construction): At the Indu Mills compound in Dadar, this under-construction marvel, designed by Sutar and architect Shashi Prabhu, promises to be the world's third-tallest statue at 137.3 meters (450 feet total, including a 100-foot pedestal). Titled the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial, it will dwarf even the Statue of Unity in thematic depth, focusing on equality's global call. Awarded in 2018, the project is 47% complete amid funding hurdles, with completion eyed for May 2026 or March 2027. Sutar's vision here elevates Ambedkar from reformer to eternal guardian of human rights.

Maryland's 19-Foot Sentinel: Tallest Ambedkar Statue Outside India: In the US town of Accokeek, Maryland, 30 miles from Washington, D.C. the 19-foot "Statue of Equality" at the Ambedkar International Center was unveiled on October 15, 2023. Crafted from 360 tons of stainless steel and 114 tons of bronze, this monument spans 13 acres and embodies Buddhist principles alongside Ambedkar's anti-caste crusade. As the tallest such tribute abroad, it underscores his international influence, attracting diaspora communities and scholars alike.

Sutar's portfolio also includes smaller yet poignant Ambedkar statues in Mumbai's Dadar, Delhi's Ambedkar Foundation, and over 10 countries worldwide. Notably, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati commissioned several Dalit icons from him, cementing his role in amplifying marginalized voices through art.

Beyond Ambedkar, Sutar's oeuvre features over 350 Gandhi statues across 170 cities, the meditating Gandhi at Parliament House, and the equestrian Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj there too, each a testament to his ability to infuse stone with India's spirited history.

News of Sutar's demise triggered an outpouring of sorrow. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter), posting: "Deeply saddened by the passing of Padma Vibhushan Shri Ram V. Sutar ji, the legendary sculptor of our nation. A true visionary, he transformed metal into symbols of India’s soul, culture, and history. His monumental works stand as eternal inspirations. Om Shanti."