Home > Arts & Culture > Indian Sculpture > Indian Sculptors
Indian Sculptors
Indian sculptors have been contributing in the field of art and architecture since Indus Valley Civilization.

Share this Article:

Indian Sculptors, Indian SculptureIndian sculptors have absorbed the various types of metamorphosis of the art of carving out sculptures, presenting Indian sculptures which are wrapped in contemporary taste. The origin of Indian sculpture dates back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. In an attempt to trace the history of sculpture and sculptors one needs to go back to the Harappan civilisation. This was more an urban set up where the cities were well planned and simple. But it was the pottery, sculptural relief, seals and other handiworks. The bronze sculptures from Indus Valley Civilization were as impressive as their well laid out cities.

India boasts of innumerable dexterous sculptors who have produced exemplary work and are renowned for their brilliant contributions in the field of Indian sculpture art. Most of these sculpture artisans have migrated to Western nations to rediscover their upcoming ideas, as well as to communicate to the maximum quantity of target consumers. Indian sculptors are well known for their creations like sand sculpture, metal sculpture, bronze sculpture and wood sculpture, amongst innumerous other forms of sculpture crafting. Museums or galleries, as well as temporary structures are used to demonstrate the manifold aspects of this kind of art.

Many modern sculptors are experimenting with interactive installations and other contemporary techniques to attract the attention of people. Nalini Mallani, Sobodh Gupta and Subodh Kerkar are a few of the Indian sculptors who are exploring new horizons in this field. Some of the Indian Sculptors are as follows:

Indian Sculptors, Indian Sculpture Ram kinkar Baij
Born in the Bankura district of West Bengal, Ramkinkar Baij is an acclaimed Indian sculptor who is referred to as one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture. Most of his works are displayed in Shantinektan, where he had worked under the inspiration of Nandalal Bose, a famous painter. Human figures and body language were his specialty.

Dhruva Mistry
Dhruva Mistry`s creative finesse involved the beautiful fusion of standard art with ancient, traditional craft which is a product of the primitive civilizations of India. Mistry`s work reflects individual curiosity and interest. He explored art in a variety of media like drawing, painting, etching, dry point, digital works, photography, and sculpture in various materials. Mistry works with scale and quality of forms, concepts and materials as a sculptor. His works reveal intrinsic appeal and perceptual beauty of the form. Mistry is inspired from civilizations and cultures like Indian, Chinese, Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, European Mayan, Oceanic, and African, tribal, folk, old, new and modern.

Dhanraj Bhagat
Dhanraj Bhagat continued experimenting with innovative styles of carving sculpture and realized the significance of wood as the base material for creating sculpture.

G. Ravinder Reddy
This Indian sculptor, born in Andhra Pradesh built sculpture which were lively and seemed as if they communicated with your eyes, directly, like speaking to you. Classical designs, followed by sexual idols which could be categorized as lusty or vulgar were included among the creations of G. Ravinder Reddy.

Indian Sculptors, Indian Sculpture Anish Kapoor
Anish Kapoor is a distinguished Indian sculptor who won the Turner Prize in 1991 for his excellent work in the field of Indian sculpture. His work includes brightly coloured or monochromatic art forms. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards for his contribution to Indian sculpture. Anish Kapoor worked along with engineers and architects throughout his entire life and created beautiful works.

Sadanand Bakre
Sadanand Bakre is one of the most celebrated Indian sculptors. His creations are demonstrated in Europe and America, including the Commonwealth Institute, Nicholas Treadwell Gallery and Gallery Four.

Somnath Hore
The bronze figurines made by him recalled the agonies of famine and war and symbolized modern Indian art. One of his largest sculptures, Mother and Child was dedicated to the sufferings of the people of Vietnam. He died in the year 2006 at the age of 85. Somnath has expressed concern over man`s inhumanity against man and blatant violation of human values.

Sankho Chaudhuri
Sankho Chaudhury has produced several works which are live examples of his immense potential as a sculptor in India. Many awards prove his skilled expertise at crafting wonderful sculpture.

Indian Sculptors, Indian Sculpture Chintamoni Kar
Chintamoni Kar was a globally recognized Indian sculptor, who created sculpture with the aide of various materials like terracotta, metal, stone and wood. He is honoured with an Olympic silver medal which was offered to him on behalf of Britain. Indian and French governments offered him civilian awards to appreciate his works of sculpture.

Sudarshan Pattnaik
He is the pioneer of sand art in the country and has mastered it without any formal guidance or training. Innumerable works of sand sculpture have been produced by him since he was seven years of age. Many national and global awards have been awarded to Sudarshan Pattnaik to admire his innovative sand sculpture. He holds the World record for building the tallest Santa Claus sand sculpture in the world. He also won the People`s Choice Prize at the Moscow International Sand Sculpture Championship which was conducted in Russia.

Other Indian Sculptors
Kishore Nagappa, Krishna Reddy, Vijay Gaur, Latika Katt, Kumaradeva, Rooma Mehra, Dashrath Patel, Mallikarjuna Reddy, Trupti Patel, Meera Mukherjee, N.N.Rimzon, Raghunath Krishna Phadke, Mani Nagappa, Nek Chand Saini, Avtarjeet Singh Dhanjal, Raghunath Mohapatra and numerous other Indian sculptors are quite reputed.The contemporary sculptures include sand sculptures and various kinds of metal sculptures. With the emergence of temple building the sculptors created beautiful relief works in order to decorate the temples. However the identities of these India sculptors remained unknown. It was in some of the Pattadakal temples that one comes across the names of the artists. One such name that appears in the Virupaksha Temple is that of Gundan Anivaritachari. However with time notions like individuality sprang up. With it came the art of signing a particular work of art. It was done to provide recognition to the sculptors and other artisans.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Indian Sculpture


Sculptures in Bhaja & Karle Caves
The caves at Karle and Bhaja illustrate the Buddhist art located in Maharashtra.
Rock sculptures
Champa, an important city during 6th century BC, was the ancient name of Bhagalpur. A number of Rock sculptures have been found here in the course of excavation.
Delhi Sultanate Sculptures
Delhi sultanate Sculptures paved the way for the entry of the Persian architecture in India.
Types of South Indian Temple Sculptures
Types of South Indian Temple Sculpture have the dynamic looks and these temples sculptures are evolved through out the ages in the midst of the rise and fall of many South Indian Empires.
Sculptures of Dashavatara Temple
Sculptures of Dashavatara Temple is evident in every part of the temple which has images of various gods and goddesses.
Gandhara School of Art and Sculpture
Gandhara School of Art and Sculpture was developed during the 1st century AD. Gandhara arts were in a blue-grey mica schist, though sometimes in a green phyllite and stucco, or in terracotta.
Bahmani Architecture
Bahmani architecture has been influenced by Persian style of architecture. The Bahamani kingdom flourished in architectural monuments.
Sculpture of Orissa
Orissa became a substantial centre of sculpture in the 7th century and had remained so throughout the post-Gupta and later Hindu eras.
Features Of Pala Sculpture
Features of Pala Sculpture slowly broke away from the Magadha style in the 10th century.
Indian Temple Sculptures
Indian Temple sculptures exhibits to the world the astonishing pieces of art. The religious places were the seats of learning and developing art in the ancient days.
Indian Bronze Sculptures
Bronze sculptures have been made in India since sixth century in various parts of India. This art had its beginning in Indus Valley Civilization.
Sculpture of Sarnath
Sculptural works of the said places were primarily concentrated in Buddhism, with intricate masonry.
Chalukya Sculptures
Chalukya sculptures evolved a new idiom for the construction of several temples and are renowned for their exquisite architectural marvels.
Pallava Sculptures
Pallava Sculptures for the first time introduced the use of rock in Indian architecture.
Magadha Sculpture
Magadha Sculpture includes the remarkable pieces of art from both Mauryan and Gupta dynasties.
Gupta Sculptures in India
Gupta sculptures exhibit the art works which was prevalent during the Gupta rule. The sculptures of the Gupta period remained as the ideals of art for several generations.
Rashtrakuta Sculptures
Rashtrakuta sculptures and architectures thrived under royal patronage. They are well known for their intricate carvings.
Sculpture at Ellora Caves
Ellora caves were sculpted into the sides of a basaltic rock of the Charanadari hill in Deccan, at Aurangabad.
Badami Chalukya Sculptures
Badami Chalukya sculptures developed during the 5th and 8th centuries and include the various forms of sculptured existent in the Badami Cave Temples, rock-cut temples and numerous other forms of ancient temples.
Hoysala Sculpture
Hoysala sculpture emerged in Karnataka and thrived under the royal patronage. Numerous temples were built in the Hoysala Empire that speaks volumes about the Hoysala sculpture.
Nagara Style of Architecture
Nagara style of Architecture, developed during the 5th century, is an emblem of architectural wonder and is scattered through out various regions of the country.