M. S. Nagappa
Sculptor
sculpting a statue of George V on the silver jubilee of his reign
Rao Bahadur M. S. Nagappa (c. 1890 – 12 January 1942[1]) was an Indian sculptor who designed statues and monuments in British India. In 1935, Nagappa was appointed official sculptor to the British Crown by George V.[2]
Early life
Nagappa was born in a family of traditional sthapathis or sculptors.[3] Sculpting was the main occupation of his ancestors for five generations before him.[2] Nagappa wanted to join the Madras School of Arts but could not.[3] However, impressed with his abilities, Hadaway, the Principal employed Nagappa as his assistant.[3]
Career
When there was a plague epidemic in the Madras Presidency, the government requested Hadaway to prepare a painting of a victim so as to study the plague in detail. Nagappa prepared the painting with the help of a mould of the victim and was acknowledged and awarded for his work.[3] Following this success, Nagappa set up a studio at Narasingapuram (now part of Ritchie Street), Madras.[3]
In 1935, Nagappa prepared a bronze statue of George V and presented it to the monarch during his silver jubilee celebrations on behalf of Lodd Govindoss Chathurbhujadoss, a popular businessman and philanthropist of Madras.[2][3] Nagappa was awarded a "Rao Bahadur" medal for his work.[2][3] George V also appointed him official sculptor to the British Crown and presented him with a coat of arms.[2]
In 1936, Nagappa sculpted a statue of the Maharaja of Travancore.[4]
Death
Nagappa died at Narasingapuram on 12 January 1942 at the age of 51.[1]
Family
Nagappa had five sons, two of whom Rajaram Nagappa - Mani Nagappa and Jayaram Nagappa were also acclaimed sculptors. Among Mani Nagappa's creations are the Jawaharlal Nehru statue at Kathipara Junction[5] and the Thiruvalluvar statue near Ulsoor Lake, Bangalore.[2][6]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Indian review, Volume 43{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. G. A. Natesan(1942)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Sunday Celebrity:Mani Nagappa: sculpturing and vintage cars his love({Template:Date).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Memories of Madras: Giving shape to the past. The Hindu(6 May 2009).
- ↑ Interview with Mani Nagappa, Raj, R. Joseph Pradeep.
- ↑ Chiselling history. The Hindu(5 February 2001).
- ↑ 'I never thought I would live to see unveiling of statue'. Deccan Herald.