Arun Yogiraj: Man behind Ayodhya Ram Lalla idol visited home only once in 7 months

The trust’s General Secretary Champat Rai, who is also the vice-president of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, made an official announcement at Ayodhya on Monday, 15 January, that 11 of the 15 members of the trust had chosen Arun’s Ram Lalla idol to be instal in the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

Sculpted by the Mysuru-based artist in standing form, it weighs 150-200 kg.

According to the trust: “The Lord Ram Lalla idol will enter the new temple premises on 17 January and be installed in the sanctum sanctorum on 18 January. The rituals for the consecration ceremony will kick-start from 16 January and will continue till 21 January.”

भगवान श्री रामलला की जो मूर्ति बनी है, वह पाँच वर्ष के बालक का स्वरूप है। मूर्ति 51 इंच की है, काले पत्थर की है, और बहुत ही आकर्षक बनी है। pic.twitter.com/yTRHqk0uYi

— Champat Rai (@ChampatRaiVHP) January 6, 2024

Earlier this month, Karnataka BJP leaders, including Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi, announced that Arun’s idol had been selected for the consecration ceremony.

However, Arun clarified to the media that he had not received any official communication or confirmation from the trust.

Several of Arun’s sculptures stand as testimonials of his craftsmanship and skills.

“Even since Arun started sculpting the Ram Lalla idol for Ayodhya, he visited Mysuru for two days in the last seven months,” his wife Vijeta Arun Yogiraj told South First.

“We are waiting for his arrival as it is one of the biggest and most memorable moments of our lives,” added an elated Vijeta.

Also read: Bengaluru artist’s sculpture will adorn Ayodhya Railway Station

Who is Arun Yogiraj?

In the realm of sculpting, 41-year-old Arun Yogiraj stands as a modern-day maestro with a chisel and hammer.

Hailing from a lineage of sculptors that spans five generations in the cultural tapestry of Mysuru, Arun built upon familial traditions to become one of the most coveted sculptors in the country.

Arun’s artistic brilliance has not only elicited the admiration of states nationwide but also earned accolades from none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

From a childhood spent amidst the echo of chisels against stone, Arun carried forward the legacy of his skilled father Yogiraj and celebrated grandfather Basavanna Shilpi, who was patronised by the Mysuru royals. Even his brother Suryaprakash is a professional sculptor.

Arun briefly dabbled in the corporate world after completing an MBA. However, the siren calls of sculpting proved too irresistible, pulling him back into the world of chisels and creations in 2008.

Since then, Arun has seen sculpting as a full-time profession. Then again, he started to learn sculpting and related works from the age of 11.

Arun’s sculptures dot the landscape of the country. His 30-foot statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose behind the Amar Jawan Jyoti near India Gate resonates with the essence of history.

Prime Minister Modi’s wish to honour Bose at India Gate found life through Arun’s hands, further cementing his reputation as a sculptor par excellence.

But Arun’s artistic journey doesn’t stop at political figures. Take for example a 12-foot-tall Adi Shankaracharya statue in Kedarnath, a 21-foot-tall Hanuman statue in Karnataka’s Chunchanakatte, a 15-foot-tall statue of Dr BR Ambedkar, and a white Amritashila statue of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in Mysuru.

As accolades poured in from various organisations, even the royal family of Mysuru acknowledged Arun’s contributions.

He is also the recipient of several state and national awards: The South Zone Young Talented Artist award by the Government of India in 2014, Slipa Kousthubha by the Sculptors Association, visits to his workshops and personal appreciation from former United Nations general secretary Kofi Annan, and honours from the chief minister of Karnataka.

Also read: Singer KS Chithra faces attack over her Ram temple comments

Family is ecstatic

The family members of renowned Arun Yogiraj are ecstatic at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust selecting his idol for the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

His wife Vijeta told South First: “Arun has been staying in Ayodhya since June 2023. In the last seven months, he came home for only two days (in December). From stone for sculpting the idol to accommodation, everything was provided by the trust. The sculpting work began in June.”

She added: “The entire family was delighted to learn that Arun’s sculpture had been selected for the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple at Ayodhya. We are proud of Arun’s work. It is the biggest and most memorable moment for the entire family.”

Talking about Arun, Vijeta pointed out: “He immerses himself in the sculpting works for at least 10 hours in a day. His father is the first sculptor guru (teacher) for Arun.”

She added of his learning days: “When his friends used to go to play, he used to return to the workshop and busy himself in sculpting work. However, he took up sculpting as a full-time profession only in 2008.”

She also noted: “Apart from sculpting, he loves his pet dogs and cattle. He also indulges in farming in his spare time.”

On Arun getting recognition from across the country, she said: “We are receiving more orders than earlier. Every day, thousands of people are thronging our shop to place orders and get a glimpse of Arun’s work. But as he has been away for seven months, we have not taken a single order. We will take orders only after his return.”

Asked whether the entire family would participate in the consecration, she said: “We are not going for the consecration ceremony. We are planning to visit Ayodhya after 22 January.”