The magnificent Ram Mandir at Ayodhya was inaugurated recently on Jan 22 by PM Narendra Modi amid massive celebrations. There were several dignitaries and special guests who were invited to witness the historic moment. Lakhs of devotees visited the temple after its opening on the first day itself. The main idol of the temple is a five-year-old form of Lord Rama. The idol of Ram Lalla is one of the firsts. The unique statue is 51 inches tall and made of Krishnashila stone (black).
The divine statue has been sculpted by the gifted hands of renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj. The temple trust had given the following criteria for Arun Yogiraj:
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- Smiling face
- Divine look
- 5-year-old Swaroop
- Prince/Yuvaraja look
Yogiraj expressed that he considers himself the luckiest person on earth and believes that it’s Lord Ram who picked him for the task. He mentioned in an interview,
“I feel I am the luckiest person on the earth now. The blessing of my ancestors, family members and Lord Ram has always been with me. Sometimes I feel like I am in a dream world”
Who is Arun Yogiraj?
Arun Yogiraj hails from a family of famous sculptors in Mysore. His family has a background of five generations of sculptors. Arun is currently the most sought-after sculptor in the country. Arun’s talent has also been appreciated by the honourable Prime Minister of the country Shri Narendra Modi. His art is in demand in different states of the country.
Arun’s grandfather Basavanna Shilpi was patronized by the King of Mysore. His father Yogiraj is also a skilled sculptor. Yogiraj has also been carving since childhood. He has a brother and a sister. He is married to Vijetha.
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In an interview, his wife, Vijetha, shared technical details on how Yogiraj sculpted the idol. She revealed,
“It’s the magic in his hands. We were briefed about what the murti had to look like, and everything else was his imagination. He observed kids’ facial features and expressions and started sketching it, and has now created a masterpiece”
She also shared that Yogiraj read human anatomy books to study facial and body features – the reason that made the Murthi look so real. She mentioned,
“He went to schools to observe children and toddlers and deeply researched and observed how they smile”
Arun Yogiraj was not always a sculptor by profession
He completed his MBA and worked for some time in a private company. But he finally decided to pursue his passion, sculpting as a profession. Thus, in 2008, he started his full-time carving career.
Apart from the Ram Lalla statue at Ayodhya, Arun has sculpted some of the iconic statues all across the nation.
Here we have listed some of the reputed and most famous statues by Arun Yogiraj:
1. A 30-feet statue of Subhash Chandra Bose behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti behind the India Gate
It is the center of attraction that has been crafted by none other than Arun. The monolithic black granite stone sculpture of Sri. Subhash Chandra Bose for India Gate, Delhi, Government of India is very popular. Arun Yogiraj even gifted a two-foot-tall statue of Subhash Chandra Bose to the Prime Minister to win his appreciation. His father Yogiraj Shilpi passed away while Arun was working on the Subhash Chandra Bose statue, in October 2021.
2. The famous 12-feet-tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand has also been Arun Yogiraj.
3. The 21-feet-tall Hanuman statue at Chunchanakatte in Mysore district, KR Nagar is made of monolithic stone.
4. 15-feet monolithic white marble stone sculpture of Dr B. R. Ambedkar with pedestal, Mysore.
It was inaugurated by the then chief minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah in 2018.
5. 15 feet monolithic white marble stone sculpture of the King of Mysore – Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadyer with Pedestal.
6. India’s Largest 10 feet amritashila statue of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Mysore.
7. 11 feet monolithic modern art stone sculpture sculpted in the concept “Creation of Creation” at the University of Mysore, Mysore.
8. God Garuda statue – 5 feet idol at Mysore.
9. 5-feet bust of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.
10. The famous Bronze statue of Sri U.R. Rao installed at ISRO, Bangalore.
11. 7 feet tall statue of God Yoganarasimha Swamy at KR Nagar.
12. Lord Venkakseshwara monolithic stone murthi (2018).
13. Numerous statues of Sir M. Vishveshwaraiah, Sri. Dr. B. R Ambedkar, and many more.
Statues of Lord Panchamukhi Ganapathi, God Buddha, Lord Mahavishnu, Swami Shivbala Yogi, Nandi, Swami Shivakumara, and Goddess Banashankari installed at various temples.
14. Several hand-carved Mantaps and various stone pillar works have blossomed in the hands of Arun Yogiraj.
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Arun Yogiraj Awards and Recognitions
- Nalwadi Award 2020 by Mysore District Administration.
- Honorary membership by The Crafts Council of Karnataka 2021.
- Personal appreciation by Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization.
- Recognition from Shilpa Kousthubha by the Sculptors Association.
- South Zone Young Talented Artist Award by the Government of India in 2014.
- Rajyothsava award by Mysuru District Authority.
- Honored by Sports Academy of Mysuru district.
- Honored by the honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka state.
- Participated in State and National level Sculpture Camps.
- Honored by AmaraShilpi Jakanacharya Trust.
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