Karnataka's sculptor, Arun Yogiraj, hailing from Mysuru, has been bestowed with the honour of carving the idol of ‘Ram Lalla' to be enshrined in Ayodhya's grand Ram Temple, scheduled for inauguration on January 22 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While the official announcement of the idol selection is slated for January 5, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi preemptively shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Arun Yogiraj's creation had been chosen.
Minister Joshi expressed his pride in Yogiraj's craftsmanship and the seamless connection between Lord Rama and Hanuman. The announcement on X stated, “The idol of Lord Rama carved by him will be installed in Ayodhya. This is another example of Rama Hanuman's inextricable relationship. There is no mistaking that this is an important service to Ramlallani from Karnataka, the land of Hanuman.”
While the Ram Temple trust confirmed the democratic selection process, they refrained from confirming the Karnataka sculptor's victory, leaving that revelation to Champat Rai, the trust's General Secretary, expected on January 5. In response to the news, Arun Yogiraj's wife, Vijetha, expressed the family's joy, describing it as a dream come true.
Who is Arun Yogiraj
Arun Yogiraj's comes off a family with a profound legacy in sculpting, spanning four generations. After obtaining an MBA, Yogiraj briefly worked in the corporate sector but harbored an unwavering passion for continuing his family's artistic legacy. His dedication and talent have earned recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his notable works including the 30-foot statue of Subhash Chandra Bose behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate.
Among his other acclaimed sculptures are a 12-foot-tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath, a 21-foot-tall Hanuman statue in Chunchanakatte, and a 15-foot-tall statue of Dr. BR Ambedkar. The royal family of Mysore has also acknowledged and paid special respects to Arun Yogiraj's significant contributions to the world of sculpture. His meticulous approach, committing 10 hours daily to his craft, reflects in each masterpiece, ensuring precision and artistic excellence.
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