(September 8, 2025) From Geneva to Sri Lanka, from South Africa to Japan, the works of Murtikar Naresh Kumar Kumawat stand as cultural ambassadors in bronze and stone. With over 600 installations including statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Lord Buddha, his creations are spread across more than 80 countries, carrying India’s spirit across continents.
Closer home, his imprint was recently etched into the heart of the nation with a monumental Samudra Manthan mural inside India’s new Parliament building. Stretching 75 feet in length and nine feet in height, the mural depicts 235 divine figures and took a team of 40 artisans nearly ten months of day-and-night effort to complete.
“In every sculpture, whether it is Lord Shiva’s meditative posture or Dr. Ambedkar’s determined stance, symbolism drives the form,” Kumawat tells Global Indian. In Hindu mythology, Samudra Manthan refers to the cosmic churning of the ocean by gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality. Beyond its scale, the mural carries symbolic resonance: just as the churning of the ocean produced nectar, the work inside Parliament signifies the churning of ideas and thoughts for the nation’s welfare. Together, these creations showcase Kumawat’s dual role, a sculptor rooted in devotion and a cultural diplomat shaping India’s global presence.
Continuing a family legacy
Born in Pilani, Rajasthan, into a family where art was not just an occupation but a way of life, Kumawat inherited sculpture as a calling. His grandfather worked in stone, while his father, Matu Ram Verma, gained renown for the iconic Shiv Murti on the Delhi-Gurgaon border using cement and concrete.
“My grandfather, the late Hanuman Prasad, and my father, Matu Ram Verma, laid the foundation of a three-generation sculptural legacy. Growing up in Rajasthan, I was surrounded by clay, chisels, and tools that shaped my imagination long before I formally pursued art,” recalls Kumawat, Director of the Matu Ram Art Center.
His education combined traditional Gurukul-style training under his father’s guidance with modern exposure through art institutions and collaborations with engineers and architects. This unique blend of cultural grounding and technical curiosity defined his early years.
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Building his career
Between 2001 and 2004, Kumawat worked on the Statue of Sarveshwar Mahadeva in Baroda and contributed to the Solophok Char Dham Project in South Sikkim, which included the monumental Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) statue. “These projects exposed me to Himalayan terrains and large-scale religious installations at an early stage of my career,” he says.
His international breakthrough came between 2004 and 2006, when he was commissioned to sculpt one of the tallest Shiva statues at Ganga Talao, Mauritius, inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of Mauritius. The project brought him international recognition.
From 2010 to 2015, Kumawat expanded his footprint with several monumental sculptures across India. Among his landmark works are the 369-ft Statue of Belief (Lord Shiva) in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, the world’s tallest Shiva statue, and the 125-ft Statue of Social Justice (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar) in Vijayawada, completed between 2016 and 2019. Post-2020, his projects have included sculptures for India’s new Parliament, the Supreme Court, war memorials, and commissions across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
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Cultural symbolism at the Parliament
The Samudra Manthan mural in Parliament is perhaps his most symbolic creation yet. As part of the revamped Central Vista project designed by Bimal Patel, the mural embodies India’s culture, pride, and spirit.
About 40 sculptural pieces were brought together to form this mural, one of the longest in its medium, depicting 235 gods and goddesses. For Kumawat, the meaning was profound: just as the ocean’s churning produced amrit (nectar), the mural stands for the churning of ideas and thoughts for public welfare inside Parliament.
Tradition meets technology
Kumawat’s work is distinguished by its ability to preserve cultural symbolism while embracing modern technique. “Every sculpture I create is anchored in cultural storytelling,” he explains.
To scale these stories into monumental works, he relies on advanced methods: 3D scanning, IIT-supported structural engineering, CNC foam enlargements, lost-wax bronze casting, and precision metallurgical testing. This synthesis ensures tradition is preserved while technology guarantees longevity and safety.
Sculpting as a calling
For Kumawat, sculpture was never merely an option. “From childhood, I saw my father and grandfather creating monumental works that inspired reverence and identity. The moment I shaped my first clay bust that evoked emotion in others, I knew this would be my life’s work,” he reflects.
Through Matu Ram Art Centres Pvt. Ltd. (MRAC), named after his father, Kumawat now leads a world-class hub for monumental sculpture and art research in Gurugram. “We work on projects ranging from towering statues to war memorials, temple architecture, modern installations, and cultural diplomacy through ICCR projects abroad. Our motto is to merge India’s rich artistic traditions with global standards of execution,” he says.
Representing India across borders
Kumawat’s works have become symbols of India’s cultural outreach. His statues and busts of Gandhi, Vivekananda, Tagore, Ambedkar, and Buddha are installed in over 80 countries—including Canada, the US, Mexico, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Oman, and Japan.
“Being a Global Indian for me means carrying India’s heritage wherever I go and leaving behind symbols that speak of Indian values. It is about balancing tradition with innovation and ensuring that the world sees India not only as a land of history but also of creativity, resilience, and universal values,” he says.
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Inspiration and challenges
Kumawat names his father as his greatest inspiration. “His simplicity, dedication, and vision shaped me. Philosophically, I draw strength from saints and leaders—from Kabir’s dohas to Gandhi’s simplicity. I believe one must create work that outlives you. Art is not for the present moment alone; it is for generations to come,” he reflects.
The journey has not been without hurdles. Transporting 100-ton statues, working in tough terrains, managing soil and wind pressures, or handling financial disputes have all tested him. “Yet, every challenge reinforced my resolve. Collaboration with engineers, international experts, and local communities has been key. Patience and faith—two virtues my father instilled in me—helped me transform obstacles into milestones,” he shares.
Future projects
Kumawat’s vision extends beyond his own studio. He plans to establish the Matu Ram Centre for Global Craft and Sculpture Excellence in Haryana, a world-class institution for training, research, and collaboration. He is also developing Sculpt Verse by Naresh Kumawat, a modern art studio in Delhi–Gurgaon, to nurture contemporary art lovers and patrons.
Future projects include monumental works such as the Statue of Origin in Kashmir and the 182-meter NTR Statue in Andhra Pradesh. “Beyond everything, my vision is to keep creating art that embodies heritage while engaging with the future,” he concludes.
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