TNR News Network
Shimla:
As the imposing statue of six-time Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is unveiled at Shimla’s historic Ridge Ground, there is growing curiosity about the artist behind the sculpture and the cost of the project.
The bronze statue, nearly nine feet tall, stands in Daulat Singh Park alongside the statue of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. It is crafted from ashtadhatu, a traditional alloy of eight metals, and carries a rich emotional as well as artistic legacy.
Crafted by a Master: Ram Sutar’s Iconic Touch
The statue was conceptualised and modelled by none other than Ram Sutar, one of India’s most celebrated sculptors, best known for designing the world’s tallest statue — the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. At 100 years old, Ram Sutar remains a towering figure in Indian art, with a legacy built over decades of monumental work.
Sutar’s son Anil Sutar, who is also an accomplished sculptor, was closely involved in executing the final stages of the Virbhadra Singh statue.
Speaking about the project, members of the Virbhadra Singh Foundation, which commissioned the statue, said: “We wanted the very best. Ram Sutar ji is a national icon and having him design the statue is a fitting tribute to Raja Sahib’s stature and contribution to the state.”
Public contributions helped fund the Rs 24 lakh project
The statue was built at a total cost of Rs 24 lakh, according to officials from the Foundation. Notably, a portion of this expense was met through donations from citizens, a testament to the deep emotional connect the people of Himachal still feel with the late leader.
“People from all walks of life contributed small amounts. It was truly a people’s project,” said a Foundation spokesperson.
The final structure, cast in ashtadhatu, not only ensures durability but also carries cultural significance, often associated with divine figures and royal icons.
Ridge ground now home to political legends in bronze
With the addition of Virbhadra Singh’s statue, Shimla’s Ridge Ground continues to serve as a gallery of India’s political icons. Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lala Lajpat Rai and Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar already grace various points of the promenade, offering both tourists and locals a sense of history and pride.
The presence of these statues reflects the state’s acknowledgment of leaders who shaped not just policy but identity.
Virbhadra Singh, who first entered politics in 1962, went on to win 14 elections — five times to the Lok Sabha and nine times to the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. He served as Chief Minister on six occasions, becoming one of the most influential and enduring figures in the state’s political history.
The installation of his statue not only memorializes his political journey but also the love and reverence he inspired as a leader of the people. His son, Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh, has called the statue “a symbol of love between the people of Himachal and their Raja Sahib”.
