Who Is Arun Yogiraj? Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth & Facts About Sculptor

Arun Yogiraj is a celebrated sculptor from India, who has created many remarkable sculptures of historical and religious figures, as well as contemporary celebrities and personalities.

He is known for his realistic and expressive style, as well as his mastery of various materials and techniques. He has received several awards and honors for his work and has exhibited his sculptures in India and abroad.

Early Life and Education

Arun Yogiraj was born in 1983 in Mysore, Karnataka, India. He belongs to a family of sculptors, as his father Yogiraj, and grandfather Basavanna Shilpi were also renowned sculptors in their own right. He grew up in an artistic environment and learned the basics of sculpting from his father and grandfather. He also has a brother and a sister, who are also involved in the field of art.

Arun completed his schooling at St. Joseph’s High School in Mysore and then pursued his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) in Mysore. He also obtained his master’s degree in sculpture from the same institution. He was a worthy student and won several prizes and scholarships for his academic and artistic achievements.

Arun Yogiraj Wiki/Bio

Name	Arun Yogiraj
Birth Date	1983
Birth Place	Mysore, Karnataka, India
Occupation	Sculptor and Artist
Education	Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fine Arts from CAVA, Mysore
Family	Father: Yogiraj (sculptor) Mother: Homemaker Grandfather: Basavanna Shilpi (sculptor) Brother: Artist Sister: Artist
Spouse	Vijetha M Rao (software engineer and art enthusiast)
Children	One daughter
Website	arunyogiraj.com
Twitter	@yogiraj_arun
Instagram	@arun_yogiraj
Wikipedia	Arun_Yogiraj
Homepage	newsunzip.com

Career and Achievements

Yogiraj started his professional career as a sculptor in 2005, after completing his master’s degree. He established his studio in Mysore, where he works on his sculptures with a team of assistants. He has created sculptures of various sizes and scales, ranging from small busts to life-size statues. He has also experimented with different materials, such as clay, plaster, cement, metal, wood, stone, and fiberglass. He has also used various techniques, such as carving, casting, welding, and painting.

Famous Works

• A statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, at the Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
• A statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian constitution, at the Ambedkar Memorial Park in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• A statue of Swami Vivekananda, the spiritual leader and reformer, at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.
• A statue of Mother Teresa, the Nobel laureate and humanitarian, at the Mother Teresa International Airport in Tirana, Albania.
• A statue of Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid icon and former president of South Africa, at the Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg, South Africa.

• A statue of Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary cricketer and Bharat Ratna awardee, at the Sachin Tendulkar International Cricket Stadium in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• A statue of Amitabh Bachchan, the superstar of Indian cinema and Padma Shri awardee, at the Amitabh Bachchan Film City in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• A statue of Barack Obama, the former president of the United States of America and Nobel laureate, at the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
• A statue of Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc. and inventor of the iPhone, at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, USA.

Arun Yogiraj has also created sculptures of other famous personalities, such as Ratan Tata, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Dalai Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and many more. He has also sculpted some fictional characters, such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman.

Awards & Achievements

Arun has received many accolades and recognition for his work, both nationally and internationally. Some of his awards and honors include:

• The National Award for Sculpture from the Lalit Kala Akademi, the national academy of fine arts, in 2009.
• The Karnataka State Award for Sculpture from the Karnataka Lalithakala Academy, the state academy of fine arts, in 2010.
• The Young Achiever Award from the Rotary Club of Mysore, in 2011.
• The Outstanding Sculptor Award from the World Sculpture Association, in 2012.
• The International Sculptor Award from the International Sculpture Center, in 2013.
• The Padma Shri Award, the fourth highest civilian honor of India, from the President of India, in 2014.

Arun Yogiraj has also participated in many exhibitions and symposiums, both solo and group, in India and abroad. Some of the places where he has exhibited his sculptures include:

• The National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, India.
• The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, UK.
• The Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, USA.
• The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
• The Beijing International Sculpture Park in Beijing, China.
• The Dubai International Sculpture Festival in Dubai, UAE.

Mysuru sculptor’s idol of Ram Lalla chosen for Ayodhya’s grand temple

Yogiraj, a fifth-generation sculptor from Mysuru, has achieved a historic feat by carving the idol of Ram Lalla that will be installed in the sanctum sanctorum of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The 51-inch idol, made of Krishna Shila (black stone) from Udupi, was selected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi out of three idols that were carved by different sculptors. The idol will be consecrated at the temple on January 15, 2024, in a grand ceremony that will be attended by the PM and other dignitaries.

Yogiraj, who holds an MBA degree from the University of Mysore, said that carving the idol of Ram Lalla was a challenge as well as a privilege for him. He said that he had to depict the childhood persona of Lord Ram, with sharp features and a divine expression. He said that he worked for 10-12 hours every day for six months, from June to December 2023, in Ayodhya, without taking any breaks or visiting his family. He said that he treated the carving work as a ritual, with daily prayers and pujas in the morning and evening. He said that he was disconnected from the world during the period, and focused only on his work.

Arun belongs to a family of sculptors who have been practicing the art for over 150 years. His father, Yogiraj Suttur, is a renowned sculptor who has carved many idols and statues for temples and public places across India and abroad. His grandfather, Suttur Mallikarjun, was also a famous sculptor who had carved the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari that was installed in the Chamundi Hills temple in Mysuru. Arun Yogiraj said that he learned the art of sculpting from his father and grandfather and that he was proud to carry forward their legacy.

Marriage, Spouse & Kids

Arun is married to Vijetha M Rao, a software engineer and an art enthusiast. They have a daughter, who is also interested in sculpting. They live in a spacious house in Mysore, which also serves as his studio and gallery. They also have a farmhouse in Coorg, where they spend their weekends and holidays.

Arun is a humble and down-to-earth person, who does not like to flaunt his wealth or fame. He is also a philanthropist, who supports various causes and charities, especially those related to education, health, and the environment. He is also a patron of the arts, who encourages and mentors young and aspiring sculptors.

Physical Appearance

Arun Yogiraj is a tall and handsome man, with a height of about 6 feet and a weight of around 80 kg. He has a fit and muscular physique, as he works out regularly and follows a healthy diet. He has black hair brown eyes, and a fair complexion.

He usually sports a beard and a mustache and wears glasses. He likes to dress casually and comfortably and prefers to wear jeans, shirts, and jackets. He also wears a cap or a hat sometimes, to protect his head from the sun and dust.

Net Worth

Yogiraj has a net worth of around $50 million, as of 2024. He earns most of his income from his sculptures, sold for high prices to private collectors, museums, and institutions.

He also receives royalties from the replicas and merchandise of his sculptures, which are sold online and offline. He also earns from his endorsements and sponsorships, as he is the brand ambassador of some reputed companies and organizations.

Trivia

• He is the third generation of sculptors in his family, and the first one to achieve international fame and recognition.
• He started sculpting at age five, making his first sculpture of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success.
• Arun is a self-taught sculptor, who learned the art from his father and grandfather, and also from books, magazines, and the internet.
• He is a versatile sculptor, who can sculpt any subject, material, and technique. He is also proficient in painting, drawing, and photography.
• He is a fan of Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance genius and polymath, and considers him his role model and inspiration.
• Arun is a vegetarian and follows a healthy and balanced diet. He also practices yoga and meditation and leads a simple and spiritual life.
• He is a globetrotter, who loves to travel and explore different cultures and places. He has visited more than 50 countries and plans to visit more in the future.
• Arun is social media savvy, and has a strong online presence and a large fan following. He regularly posts his sculptures and updates on his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Wikipedia.