The renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj from Karnataka has been chosen to create the idol of ‘Ram Lalla’ for the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. This selection has brought great honor to Arun, who comes from a lineage of five generations of esteemed sculptors in Mysore. Union minister Pralhad Joshi announced on social media that the idol, crafted by Arun Yogiraj, will be installed in Ayodhya for the Prana Pratishtapana of Lord Rama.
Former Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa also expressed his congratulations and pride in the selection of Arun’s idol for the Ram Mandir. Arun himself has not yet received official confirmation, but he believes his work has been accepted based on a message from senior BJP leaders. He emphasized the importance of the idol reflecting both divinity and a child-like face, as it represents the incarnation of God. Arun began his work on the idol six to seven months ago and hopes that people will appreciate it.
Who is Arun Yogiraj?
Arun Yogiraj, presently one of the most sought-after sculptors in the nation, commenced his journey into the realm of sculpting at a tender age, heavily 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 inherent passion for sculpting drew him back to this art form in 2008.
Since then, his artistic prowess has flourished, leading him to create iconic sculptures that have garnered nationwide recognition. Arun’s portfolio showcases an impressive array of sculptures, including a 30-feet statue of Subhash Chandra Bose, prominently exhibited behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti near India Gate. His other noteworthy contributions to the world of sculpting encompass a 12-feet tall sculpture of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath and a 21-feet tall Hanuman statue in Mysore.