New Delhi, Dec 18: Renowned Indian sculptor Ram Sutar, best known for designing the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue located in Gujarat, passed away late Wednesday night at his residence in Noida. He was 100 years old and had been battling age-related illnesses.

In a statement shared with the press on Thursday, his son, Anil Sutar, expressed profound grief over the loss. "It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on 17th December midnight at our residence," Anil Sutar said.

Born on February 19, 1925, in Gondur village, now part of Maharashtra’s Dhule district, Sutar’s early fascination with sculpting led him to pursue a career in the field. A gold medallist from the JJ School of Art and Architecture in Mumbai, Sutar made significant contributions to Indian art and sculpture throughout his illustrious career.

Among his most iconic creations are statues of Mahatma Gandhi seated in a meditative pose and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on horseback at the Indian Parliament. However, his crowning achievement remains the Statue of Unity, a towering tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Sutar's contributions to the field of sculpture earned him several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016. He was also recently conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the state's highest honor.

Ram Sutar’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian sculpture, leaving behind a legacy of monumental art that has left an indelible mark on India’s cultural and architectural heritage.