Sadashiv Sathe
Indian sculptor (1926–2021)
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Sadashiv Sathe or Bhau Sathe (17 May 1926 – 30 August 2021[2]) was an Indian sculptor.[3][4] His notable works include the 5-metre high statue of Mahatma Gandhi that is part of the main structure of the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial situated at Dandi, Navsari[5] and the 18-foot equestrian statue of Shivaji at the Gateway of India, Mumbai.[6]
17 May 1926[1]
Sadashiv Sathe | |
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| Born | Sadashiv Sathe 17 May 1926[1] |
| Died | 30 August 2021 (aged 95) |
| Other name | Bhau Sathe |
| Education | Government diploma in Modelling and Sculpture (1948) |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
| Known for | Bronze and other sculptures |
Early life
Sathe was first inspired to pursue sculpting as a career from his family's occupation of sculpting Lord Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. He obtained a government diploma in Modelling and Sculpture at Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art in 1948.
Career
“I believe art should flow. I have experimented with my art, and I hope generations to come continue experimenting. Unless we push limits, how will art grow?”[6]
He worked as a commercial artist with V. Shantaram.[7] He sculpted his first statue of Mahatma Gandhi opposite the Old Town Hall in Delhi in 1952.[6] In 1958, he was offered a scholarship by the Spanish government to study in Spain.[1] Atal Bihari Vajpayee introduced him to Yashwantrao Chavan, who called upon him to cast the 18-feet statue of the Shivaji, the founder of Maratha Kingdom, at the Gateway of India, Mumbai.[7] The statue was unveiled on 26 January 1961 on the occasion of India's Republic Day.[8][9] He did live sculpting for Lord Mountbatten.[6] He arranged exhibitions at Delhi, Mumbai, London, Moscow, New York, Brussels, The Hague. In 1973, he was invited to Buckingham Palace in London to make a head study sculpture of Prince Philip.[1]
Sathe initiated competitions, such as Pandit Nehru Memorial competition at Nehru Centre, Bombay, and the Shrimati Indira Gandhi National Memorial competition in New Delhi. He was a jury member of the Maharashtra government's art exhibitions and Bombay Art Society's exhibition. He served as an examiner for the Bombay University's art examination.[1]
He once declined to make a statue of Swami Vivekananda, as it was to be put in a temple. Sathe believed that the statue should be put on a rock to protect Vivekananda’s philosophy.[6]
On 24 December 1984, he live-sculpted a bust of Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the residence of Ved Prakash Goyal in Matunga, Mumbai.[7]
He wrote a book of stories related to sculpting - Aakar A Story Of Sculptures.[10]
Awards
- "Gold Medal" received from Indian President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, for making a 9-foot sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi in 1954.[1]
- The Art Society of India Award, 2009
- The Bombay Art Society Award, 2009
Notable works
- 16 feet bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi at National Salt Satyagraha Memorial, Dandi, Gujarat
- 9 feet bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi opposite Delhi Town Hall
- 12 feet bronze statue of Bal Gangadhar Tilak near Tilak Bridge, New Delhi
- Netaji Subhash Monument in Netaji Park, opposite Red Fort, Delhi
- Equestrian statue of Shivaji in Tikona Park, New Delhi
- Equestrian statue of Rani of Jhansi in Gwalior
- 18 feet equestrian statue of Shivaji at the Gateway of India, Mumbai
- 7 feet marble statue of Justice M.C. Chagla in Bombay High Court
- 18 feet equestrian statue of Chilarai in Guwahati, Assam
- Lasit Baraphukan Group Sculpture in Guwahati, Assam
- Veer Narnarayan memorial in Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Nagendra Singh's Bust at the International Court of Justice at The Hague
- Mahatma Gandhi Statue in Oslo, Norway
- Mahatma Gandhi bust in Rome
- Prince Philip's sculpture at Buckingham Palace, London
- Lord Mountbatten's head sculpture in his personal collection
- Rajni Patel (Mumbai)
- M. C. Chagla, (Bombay High Court)
- Ardeshir Godrej sculpture
- Mahatma Gandhi- Wardha
- Vinoba Bhave - Wardha