MYSURU: This
Mysuru
man preferred the
sculptor
’s chisel to number-crunching in the boardroom. On Monday, with the Sankranti festivities in full bloom across Karnataka, MBA
Arun Yogiraj
’s alternative career choice stood vindicated with his creation of the statue of Ram Lalla officially picked by the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, reports Shrinivasa M. Sculpting for Arun is a legacy spanning five generations of his family — his artistic roots intertwined with Mysuru’s cultural fabric, dating back to the city’s regal past.
Last 6 months were like ‘Vanavasa’ for my son, says sculptor Arun Yogiraj’s mother
Weeks after TOI reports strongly indicated that the black statue of Ram Lalla sculpted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj was the chosen one for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the official confirmation finally came through on Monday.
Soon after the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra made it official that it had picked Arun’s creation, to be installed at Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya that will see its consecration on January 22, there were scenes of jubilation at the Yogiraj household.
Following the announcement, Arun’s family members gathered at their ancestral home in Agrahara, located just outside the Mysuru Palace, on Monday evening to celebrate the occasion. The fact that Monday also happened to be Sankranti was like an icing on the cake. Many of Arun’s family members became emotional, recalling the hard work put in by the sculptor for the last six months.
“These six months were like ‘Vanavasa’ for my son. He dedicated every minute to sculpting Lord Ram’s idol for the Ayodhya Temple,” Saraswathamma, Arun’s mother, told TOI. “Makara Sankranti festival has brought good tidings and we are feeling happy,” she added.
His family members said though he was busy with rituals in Ayodhya on Monday, he still managed to find some time to call his family and spoke to his children.
Exuding happiness over her husband’s feat, wife Vijeta said Arun had made the family, Mysuru and entire Karnataka proud. “He lived like a sage these last six months. Arun didn’t even get to see our second child take his first steps. He sacrificed a lot and dedicated his life to this assignment in Ayodhya,” she added.
“Had his father been alive, he would have been ecstatic,” Saraswathamma said, holding back her tears. The septuagenarian added she was ready to visit Ayodhya whenever Arun would take her to the holy site.
Sharing further details about Arun’s journey as a sculptor, she said: “My husband taught Arun the basics of carving when he was a young boy, which continued even during his college days. He would sit with his father for hours and learn the art.”
She added: “Though he went on to do his MBA, Arun preferred to become a full-time sculptor.”
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