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100ft tall Chhatrapati Shambhaji Maharaj statue in Pune: Before he died, Ram Sutar gave city a lasting gift

Eminent artist Raju Sutar recalls working with the late sculptor when he was curating the Suzlon One Earth campus.

3 min readUpdated: Dec 19, 2025 10:17 AM IST

In the next few years, he caught the eyes of art lovers and the government with his works, such as two statues at an Agricultural Fair at Pragati Maidan. (Express Photo)

For most people, sculptor Ram Sutar was best known for creating the tallest statue in the world, Statue of Unity, in Kevadia, Gujarat, and one of the most statues in the Indian Parliament, of Mahatma Gandhi. On Thursday, as leaders and commoners responded in grief to the passing of the renowned sculptor, his son, Dr Anil Sutar, told The Indian Express that yet another monumental work is yet to be unveiled.

This is a statue of Chhatrapati Shambhaji Maharaj in Moshi in Pimpri-Chinchwad. “It is a 100 ft statue that is on top of a 40 ft high building that is like a museum,” says Anil. He added that the foundation and the building are being decorated at present, so the inauguration is awaited. “Our statue work is completed,” said Anil.

He added that his father was born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. He started making sculptures from 1947 and won a gold medal at the JJ School of Art, Mumbai. In the next few years, he caught the eyes of art lovers and the government with his works, such as two statues at an Agricultural Fair at Pragati Maidan.

Sutar never lived in Pune but his works can be seen all over – from a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at the Pune airport and another at the Balewadi Stadium to a bust of Rajiv Gandhi near the Zoological Garden and a depiction of energy at the campus of Suzlon One Earth.

“It is a matter of pride that a person from Maharashtra settled down in Delhi and created so many great works over the years. I remember meeting him in Delhi at an exhibition. He was busy with his work but still spared some time for us. He was very polite and gentle as he spoke to us about his work. He had that quality of speaking very kindly with any young artist or student who went up to him,” says Dr Sudhakar Chavan, 81, former Head of the Department at Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalay.

Eminent artist Raju Sutar recalls working with the late sculptor when he was curating the Suzlon One Earth campus. “The sculpture was done by him and Anil. It’s a sculpture in bronze, measuring 8 or 10 ft. It was made according to the brief that we gave that we discussed. It’s a very different kind, not his signature. He was very accommodating,” says Raju. The two had met in Delhi quite a few times, especially in one of his exhibitions. “He was always thinking of figuration and I used to paint in abstraction, so we always had discussions about that,” says Raju, who considers the Gandhi statue in Parliament to be an iconic work. “It’s a huge sitting Gandhi with amazing emotions on his face and done with very bold application,” says Raju.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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