Ram Sutar Death: The Sculptor Behind the Statue of Unity Passes Away At The Age Of 100

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar expressed deep grief over the passing of noted sculptor and Padma Shri awardee Ram Sutar, describing the centenarian's death as the end of a historic chapter in Indian sculpture.

Ram Sutar passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Noida on 17 December 2025. Leaders highlighted that Sutar's work brought global recognition to Indian public sculpture and praised the artist for remaining creatively active until his final years, despite his advanced age.

Ram Sutar's Legacy in Indian Sculpture

The Chief Minister recalled his recent visit to Ram Sutar in New Delhi to present the Maharashtra Bhushan award. During the meeting, Sutar recited lines from the song "Maharashtra Majha" while accepting the honour, a gesture that Fadnavis said left a lasting emotional impression.

Fadnavis lauded Sutar's skill in creating sculptures with accurate proportions and lifelike detail, qualities that made his works instantly recognisable in public spaces across India. "Every viewing of his sculptures will evoke his memory," the Chief Minister said, adding that Sutar's art would endure for generations.

Key Works and Contributions

Ram Sutar is best known for monumental public sculptures, including the Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the statue of V.D. Savarkar at the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Fadnavis also highlighted Sutar's involvement in work related to the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial at Indu Mill in Mumbai.

In a show of support, Fadnavis spoke with Sutar's son, Anil Sutar, conveying condolences on behalf of the Maharashtra Government. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described Sutar's death as the end of a glorious age in Indian sculpture, calling the artist the "Kohinoor of the world of sculpture" for presenting Indian culture and the ideas of national leaders to audiences worldwide through large-scale monuments.

Ajit Pawar echoed the sense of national loss, referring to Sutar as the "Bhishmacharya of sculpture", whose contributions to the field would remain unmatched. "The country has lost a highly talented sculptor who gave Indian memorial art global recognition," Pawar said, emphasising that Sutar's works will continue to represent Indian sculpture on the international stage.

A Golden Era Concluded

With the passing of Ram Sutar, Maharashtra and India have lost one of their most illustrious sculptors. Yet, through his monumental works and meticulous craftsmanship, Sutar's legacy will continue to inspire future generations, cementing his place as a towering figure in the world of art and public monuments.