Ram Sutar - The Nation's beautifier

We have heard of Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo - All of them have added volumes to history. But here, amidst us, is India's very own and precious Ram Sutar - The creator and maker of numerous sculptors that we see around us. For those of you, who have visited Pragati Maidan, will recognize this great artist for spectacular statues of leaders, authors and visionaries like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Pt Jawaharlal Nehru.

I had the fortune of meeting him and his son Anil Sutar while I was on my way to Dainik Jagran office in Noida. Right across the road I noticed beautiful sculptures of freedom fighters and some deities. The sight was so magnificent that I felt compelled to rush inside the premises. While I was immersed in admiring the statues a voice behind me said, "Babuji se mil lije". I stepped into the office and was greeted by Anil Sutar. He was accompanied by several other men. While departing, one of them remarked "he is one of his kinds and the only one in India. You will learn a lot from him". By now I had registered that destiny had brought me in front of a great great personality. Anil Sutar, a replica of his father told me all about his work. As he spoke I craned my head around the tiny office admiring all the paintings of Ram Sutar. Just then a shabbily dressed, old man, covered in paint and dust walked in. Well it was the legendary Ram Sutar himself. Frankly, had I not been observing the paintings I couldn't have even given a wild guess on his identity? The man who had been awarded Padma Shri from former President K. R. Narayan and who is the creator of over hundred paintings and monumental sculptors was standing in front

of me in the most modest way that I could have ever imagined him. He didn't pause for long, but returned to his work. My curious mind struggled with questions but I didn't have to ask much. The 89 year old man's actions spoke loud and clear. I closely studied him for a long time. Ram Sutar's love for clay and his positive spirit was quite apparent. His old features didn't show a trace of fatigue as he stooped low to paint a 6ft horse.

Michelangelo had once said, "Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it." Ram Sutar is one such man who can discover beautiful models out of every stone. From figures made out of small river bed stones, corals, peanut shells, to paintings, murals, sketches, statues, architecture, Ram Sutar has touched every horizon of art. While walking on the beaches of Mauritius Ram saw the corals and transformed them into art pieces. Similarly while eating Pistachio he would keep the shells aside to make a face out of them. Ram Sutar is an inspiration for all the budding artists. His simple lifestyle and complete dedication to art is what makes him unique. Ram has firm faith on Karma and that is why despite all the fame and appreciation on his credit, his always remains down to Earth.

After a long conversation, Anil handed me a biography that he had written on his father - "Sculptor Ram V Sutar - A life story".  This book was published on his 85th birthday. Anil Sutar now walks on his father's footprints and is also a renowned sculptor of India. Little decisions over time make a big impact on our lives. My instant desire to see the sculptures now has given me a vision of dedication. Ram Sutar’s story has left an indelible mark on my heart forever and I don’t think I’m ever going to remain the kind of person I was.

Just two days after I'd visited them, I got to know of a tragedy that had hit the family. Pramilla, Ram Sutar’s wife had expired. This is a tough time for the family. Ram has faced a lot of struggle all his life but just like a valiant soldier of India, he has fought all obstacles and dedicated his life to art. May Pramilla's soul rest in Peace.