Two Years After Ram Lalla: Arun Yogiraj Trains Next Gen As Orders Spike
“I am selective in accepting orders nowadays”: Arun Yogiraj
BENGALURU: Sculpting orders flood famed Mysuru city-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj after his Ram Lalla (Lord Ram as 5-year child) idol was consecrated at newly constructed Ram Temple at Ayodhya two years back. Interestingly, Arun Yogiraj has been getting orders for idols from abroad and most of which are domestic.
In a chat on Wednesday, Arun Yogiraj told Deccan Chronicle he noticed the demand for sculptors from Karnataka increased while earlier people placed orders with sculptors mainly in Rajasthan. But after Ram Lalla idol caught the attention of the nation, “Sculptors in Karnataka get more orders now than before, more from north India.”
After the Ram Lalla idol of his was consecrated, Arun Yogiraj said “The idol consecration drew the attention of the world by manifolds and started to get more orders from abroad such as from the United Kingdom, Netherlands among others.”
“I am selective in accepting orders nowadays,” said Arun, saying that some of his projects abroad are yet to be approved, especially a Sai Baba idol for the United States among many others. Even before he shot to fame with Ram Lala idol, Arun sculpted idols for the United States, Australia, Malaysia among others.
As far as domestic orders are concerned the famed sculptor said “Right now I am working on the Virat Vishwaroopa (Lord Krishna) idol at Kurukshetra where Mahabharata took place. Apart from the ongoing Kurukshetra project, 3 major projects are also going on at the moment.”
“I meeting the orders, a team of about 25 sculptors assist me,” he said over his meeting deadline for orders placed. Arun observed the younger generation taking keen interest in stone sculpting nowadays and said he is imparting training to about 9 trainees currently. He cited lack of adequate manpower in accepting new orders.
“Stone sculpting is turning out to be a lucrative profession,” Arun said and added “Even sculptors are getting attention.” He observed “Demand for stone sculptures is on par with wooden sculptures.”