New Delhi: Out of the three skilled artisans entrusted with the responsibility of crafting statues depicting the child form of Lord Ram for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ or consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the one crafted by Mysuru’s Arun Yogiraj has been selected by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
This was confirmed by BJP stalwart and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa first on Monday, who also posted the trivia on X.
Undoubtedly, Yogiraj’s family is on cloud nine. Speaking to News18, Vijetha, his wife, called it a proud moment for their family, Mysuru city and the state of Karnataka. “For him, his art is complete devotion and that reflects in his work. We are filled with pride to be given this honour and are humbled at the same time,” she was quoted as saying by News18.
In an interview with news agency PTI, Yogiraj had said that the “idol should be that of a child who is divine too, because it is the statue of the incarnation of God. People who look at the statue should feel the divinity.”
He added that “keeping the divinity aspect along with the child like face in mind, I started my work about six to seven months ago. More than the selection, people should be able to appreciate it. Only then, I will be happy.”
Incidentally, Yogiraj is also the artist behind the 30-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose in the canopy behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.
Arun Yogiraj’s father, too, is an accomplished sculptor, inheriting his artistic lineage from his grandfather Basavanna Shilpi, who received patronage from the King of Mysore. Yogiraj pursued an MBA degree and briefly worked in a private company. However, in 2008, he decided to embrace his family’s sculpting tradition and continue their artistic legacy.
His artistic portfolio includes remarkable creations such as statues of Adi Shankaracharya, Lord Hanuman, Dr BR Ambedkar, Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Nandi, Banashankari Devi, and the King of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.
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