Arun Yogiraj, man who sculpted Ayodhya Temple's Ram Lalla set to start Shilpa Kala Shaala

Mysuru: A year since the installation of Lord Ram statue in Ayodhya, sculptor of the statue Arun Yogiraj Shilpi who hails from Mysuru has taken the city to greater heights.

As several youngsters are inspired by him are inclined to take up this traditional Art (Sampradayika Shilpa Kale), he is all set to launch his new 'Shilpa Kala Shaala' at a two acre land at Kadakola in Mysuru district with accommodation and food facility to train 20 students.

"It will even have an art gallery providing space and opportunity for artists to exhibit and showcase their work of art. It is likely to be launched in March," Arun said.

Speaking to DH, Arun shared, "I was blessed to be chosen for the divine work of sculpting Ayodhya Baala Ram and I just did it as 'Tapasya' with all devotion and dedication for 12 hours a day from June 2023 to January 2024.

"I never expected this kind of love and honour from people across the globe who had dreamt about this Ayodhya Sri Ram Mandira for long. I was honoured even in the UK, Netherlands and Dubai. The demand for work has increased so much that I am forced to deny at least 100 works a day. I have sculpted a Srinivasa which will be installed in the UK shortly," he said.

He has even sculpted the 25 feet bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated at the Belagavi Suvarna Soudha on Tuesday. Recently he has also sculpted the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar installed by the Department of Justice t in the Jaisalmer house in Delhi.

"People have seen Sri Baala Rama statue, but in order to introduce the Art work-Sampradayika Shilpa Kale behind it, recently I had exhibited 'Uli, Silver Hammer' (instruments) used for sculpting the eyes of that Statue, Peeta which I had sculpted and brought with me, as they used golden Peeta for it," he Arun said.

A fifth generation sculptor, 42 year old Arun, who has done MBA had quit his corporate job to continue the tradition of sculpting statues in 2008 and has come up with more than 1000 statues. He has inherited the talent/Art from his late father B S Yogiraj Shilpi, grandfather B Basavanna Shilpi, great grandfather Chowdappa Shilpi and his father Basappa Shilpi. He has already trained over 20 students and is currently training five students.

Some of his remarkable works in Mysuru include Sri Jayachamaraja wadiyar at Hardinge circle, Ambedkar statue at town hall premises, white marble statue of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa installed at Vivekananda circle, six statues with the concept of 'life is a journey' installed at the Mysuru railway station premises and more. He is the sculptor of the statue of Sri Adishankaracharya installed at Kedarnath and statue of Subash Chandra Bose installed at India Gate or Karthavya Path in Delhi.