Sculpture is a lifelong learning journey: Naresh Kumawat

New Delhi

From crafting the world’s tallest Shiva statue in Rajasthan to sculpting the iconic Samudra Manthan mural in the new Parliament, artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat has created over 3,000 sculptures worldwide. His work blends heritage with modernity, using advanced tools like 3D scanning, robotic arms, and digital modeling to scale and refine his art without losing its traditional essence.

Inspired by his sculptor father and guru, Matu Ram, Kumawat began his journey early, finding deep meaning in the transformation of raw material into sacred forms. Art must come from emotion, not imitation, he says. He believes that cultural and religious sculptures are timeless storytellers that reflect who we are and the values that shaped us.

Kumawat’s creations, such as the Char Dham statues in Vrindavan (Guinness World Records) and the Lord Hanuman statue in Solan (Limca Book of Records), go beyond art—they are movements in bronze and stone. His murals of Ambedkar and Patel in Parliament aim to reshape public perception and ignite cultural pride.

He stresses the need for more public art in India, like Europe’s landmarks, to reflect national identity. With upcoming projects like the grand Ram statue in Ayodhya and tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Kumawat is confident that public sculpture can inspire generations and elevate India’s global cultural presence.