The world of art and sculpture mourns the loss of a legend while preparing to honour his immense legacy. Renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar (1925-2025), who passed away on Thursday, will be posthumously conferred with the prestigious First Borderless Babasaheb International Award. The announcement was made in Mumbai on Friday, paying tribute to the artist whose iconic works include monumental statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
A Legacy Cast in Bronze
The founder of the think tank Borderless Babasaheb, Rajendra Jadhav, revealed the decision to honour Sutar. Jadhav highlighted the sculptor's profound contribution to popularising Babasaheb Ambedkar's ideals through art. Sutar's most famous recent commission was the creation of the colossal 350-feet bronze statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for the Indu Mills Memorial in Dadar, Mumbai.
"He was commissioned to make Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue for the memorial coming up at the Indu Mills in Dadar. Recently, the 22-ton shoes of the Ambedkar statue reached Mumbai," Jadhav stated, connecting the artist's work to a ongoing national project. He expressed deep pride in announcing the award for "Sutar sahab," whom he described as a father figure to many in the community.
An Award and a Final Farewell
Jadhav confirmed that the award ceremony will be held in Mumbai soon, and the Sutar family will be invited to receive the honour on his behalf. In his heartfelt remarks, Jadhav extended his condolences to the sculptor's son, Anil Sutar. "He will be in our prayers always. My condolences are with Anil Sutar, the great sculptor's son, who took care of his father so lovingly till the legend's last breath," Jadhav said.
The bond between Sutar and Maharashtra was deep and enduring. Born in Gondur village in Maharashtra's Dhule district, he was a proud graduate of the Sir J.J. School of Arts in Mumbai. Recognising his lifetime of service, the Maharashtra government recently honoured him with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the state's highest civilian award.
The Nation Mourns a Kohinoor
The news of Sutar's demise has drawn sorrow from across the nation. Union Minister of State for Social Justice, Ramdas Athawale, poignantly captured the sense of loss, mourning that "In Ram Sutar's demise, the kohinoor of sculpture has been lost." This sentiment underscores the irreplaceable void left by the artist's passing.
Ram Vanji Sutar's legacy is physically etched into the Indian landscape through his statues, and now, it will be memorialised through an international award bearing Babasaheb Ambedkar's name. His work continues to inspire, and this posthumous recognition ensures his contributions to art and social thought will never be forgotten.
