Keeper of Craft

Internationally acclaimed master sculptor Naresh Kumar Kumawat carries forward a three-generation legacy of sculptural excellence from Rajasthan. His monumental works, spanning continents, stand as symbols of cultural pride, peace, and diplomacy.

- By Neha Kirpal

From the towering 369-foot Statue of Belief in Nathdwara, the world's tallest statue of Lord Shiva, to the 75-foot Samudra Manthan relief at the New Parliament Building in Delhi, Kumawat's portfolio is a testament to scale and significance. His sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi grace more than 30 countries, from Geneva to Japan and South Africa, while his public artworks across 80 nations underscore his remarkable global impact.

Born into a family deeply rooted in the traditions of sculpture and classical Indian art, Naresh Kumar Kumawat grew up in Rajasthan, surrounded by chisels, clay, and stories of sacred art. His grandfather was locally renowned for temple ornamentation and shrine sculptures across the region, working primarily in stone under harsh conditions, yet producing creations that radiated a rare meditative calm.

His father, Shri Matu Ram Kumawat, carried the family legacy forward with vision and dignity. Among the first in North India to experiment with monumental bronze sculptures, he pioneered the shift from traditional methods to advanced casting technologies—his most iconic work being the monumental Lord Shiva statue near Delhi's Terminal 3, still regarded as a landmark feat. From an early age, Naresh Kumar Kumawat watched his father transform raw material into sanctified creations, an experience that left an indelible impression. For him, childhood was less a playground and more a gurukul, where learning unfolded through observation, repetition, and reverence. He recalls.