Renowned sculptor Ram Sutar’s firm awarded contract for new Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort

Four months after Shivaji statue collapsed in Malvan; Maha govt awards contract to ‘Statue of Unity’ sculptor’s firm

A new 60-foot bronze statue of the Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, will be erected at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg district, following the collapse of the previous statue earlier this year. The original 35-foot statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, tragically collapsed on August 26, 2024, just months after its inauguration.

Anil Sutar, the son of the Padma Shri-award-winning sculptor who designed the original statue, spoke to PTI on Saturday about the plans for the new statue. He revealed that the new monument will stand 60 feet tall on a 10-foot pedestal, with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj depicted holding a sword aloft. The statue will be constructed using approximately 40 tonnes of bronze and 28 tonnes of stainless steel, with the project expected to be completed in six months.

The collapse of the earlier statue sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the ruling Mahayuti government of insulting the Maratha empire’s founder by commissioning a substandard structure. The incident led to the arrest of sculptor-contractor Jaydeep Apte, consultant Chetan Patil, and the fabricator involved in the statue’s construction.

The new statue aims to restore the legacy of the revered Maratha king and stand as a symbol of pride for the region, ensuring that the original vision of honoring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is carried forward.

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