From Adi Shankaracharya to Ram Lalla murtis, Know about sculptor Maestro Arun Yogiraj & Bal Swaroop murti

Karnataka Police opens three-decade old cases against mandir movement activistsAhead of the Ram Janmbhoomi pratishtapana ceremony, now temple trust has finalized the Ram Lala's idol for the prestigious installation in the sanctum sanctorum in Ayodhya's Ram Mandir to be held on January 22. The idol of Lord Rama, carved by renowned sculptor of our country Yogiraj Arun.

 

As per the reports the idol has been selected out of the three idols. It is being said that the other two idols will be placed in the temple at separate locations.

 

The Ram temple is set to be inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22. Yogiraj Arun belongs to a family of renowned sculptors. His grandfather, Basavanna Shilpi, was patronised by the King of erstwhile Mysore princely state.

 

 

It is 51 inches in height and has been chiselled from ‘Krishnashile’. The stone was selected from Mysore’s HD Kote. It should be noted that the most attractive and durable sculptures are made with Krishna Shila as it is one of the finest stones used for sculpting.

 

Reportedly, Ram has been depicted in the Bal Swaroop (five-year-old child). The stone, weighing 10 tonnes, 6 feet wide, 4 feet thick, and almost one foot long, was specially brought from Nellikaru village in Karkala, almost a month ago.

 

It Should be mentioned that, Ram Lalla idols had been curved based on the sketch of internationally acclaimed artist Vasudeo Kamath. He hails from Karnataka’s Karkala town and his paintings from the Ramayana series are acclaimed worldwide.

 

 

Arun Yogiraj, currently one of the most sought-after sculptors in the country, began his journey into the world of sculpting at a young age, deeply influenced by his father, Yogiraj, and grandfather, Basavanna Shilpi, who enjoyed the patronage of the King of Mysore.

 

Despite briefly pursuing an MBA and working in the corporate sector, Arun's innate passion for sculpting drew him back into the art form in 2008.Since then, his artistry has flourished, leading him to create iconic sculptures that have gained nationwide recognition.

 

 

Arun’s artwork dots various parts of India. A testament to Arun's prowess is the 30-feet statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, a masterpiece that caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His portfolio includes impressive sculptures like a 12-feet tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath and a 21-feet tall Hanuman statue in Chunchanakatte. Awards and accolades have flowed in, underscoring his exceptional talent.

 

Arun Yogiraj's artistic journey has been punctuated with numerous honors, including a personal appreciation by Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations. His sculptures have found homes in prestigious institutions like ISRO, where a bronze statue of Sri U.R. Rao stands tall, reflecting the symbiosis of art and science.