Sculpture is not a destination - it is a lifelong journey of learning, says Naresh Kumar Kumawat

BE it creating the world's tallest statue of Lord Shiva in Rajasthan, sculpting the intricate 'Samudra Manthan' inside the new Parliament building, the Namo Ghat in Varanasi, the multi-layered statue of B.R. Ambedkar, and the only statue of Nishad Raj alongside Lord Ram (Shringverpur in Uttar Pradesh); for artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, who has created more than 3,000 sculptures, with hundreds across 80 countries, innovation and an aspiration to merge heritage with modernity has always been a priority.

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No wonder, he is looked up for bringing cutting-edge technology to sculptures, including 3D scanning, robotic arm sculpting, and digital modeling.

"While I have always remained deeply rooted in the traditional and realistic sculpting style passed down to me by my guru and father, Matu Ram, I knew that was not enough. As an artist born in the 1990s, I was always intrigued by innovation and have aspired to merge heritage with modernity. In fact, I am thankful to Madan Paliwal of Miraj Group whose support allowed me to procure advanced sculpting technologies from places like Calgary and the Netherlands. With these tools, I could expand the scale, precision, and speed of my work -- successfully executing multiple international projects across the globe. It is not about replacing tradition -- it's about empowering it. Technology has given my hands a new language while keeping the soul of sculpture intact," he tells IANS.

For Kumawat, the journey towards this art form started during childhood itself, watching his father metamorphose raw material into sacred forms.

"I began to understand the profound connection between creation and devotion. Like every father, he played a foundational role in my upbringing -- but as my mentor, he went far beyond," he stresses.

Considering we live in the times of binaries, the artist maintains that cultural and religious sculptures are not just artistic expressions -- they are timeless storytellers, helping us understand who we were, and what values shaped our civilisations -- be it the Ajanta and Ellora caves, the remnants of Mohenjo-daro, the Buddha statues of Southeast Asia, or the grandeur of the Vatican -- they all carry the essence of their era.