Raghunath Mohapatra, Sculptor
Sculptor

Raghunath Mohapatra

Born 24 March 1943 · Odisha — Died 9 May 2021

Designed and restored the Konark Sun Temple's intricate stone carvings in Odisha.

1. 🪨 Trained in traditional stone carving under his father in Odisha, mastering temple sculpture techniques at a young age.\n\n2. Joined the Government College of Art & Crafts, Bhubaneswar, where he later became a faculty member shaping future sculptors.\n\n3. Contributed to the restoration and sculptural work of major temples, including projects linked to the Konark Sun Temple style.\n\n4. Created large-scale stone sculptures installed in public spaces across India and abroad.\n\n5. Promoted preservation of classical Odishan temple architecture through workshops and mentorship.\n\n6. 🏅 Awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2013 for contributions to art.\n\n7. ❓ How can traditional temple architecture techniques be preserved in modern urban development?

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Mohapatra carved his sculptures using only hammer and chisel, refusing to use any machines throughout his entire career.

The Story

1
🌟 In 1963, at age 20, Raghunath Mohapatra began working at the Handicraft Training and Designing Centre in Bhubaneswar, moving from selling stone idols on Puri streets to becoming a state-recognized sculptor.
2
At 21, he won the National Award for sculpture, propelling his career; his 1974 six-foot grey sandstone Sun god statue now stands prominently in the Central Hall of Parliament.
3🪨 Rooted in Odisha’s Pathuria Sahi, Mohapatra mastered temple sculpture under his grandfather Aparti Mohapatra, who maintained the Jagannath Temple’s artistry, continuing a centuries-old family tradition.
4By 1968, he carved Odisha’s emblematic warrior and stallion from Konark temple stone, installed at Barabati Stadium, a commission worth ₹68,000 that marked his early public recognition.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

At age 8, Mohapatra was pulled out of school after being harshly punished, leading him to focus entirely on stone sculpting under his grandfather's guidance in Puri’s Pathuria Sahi.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra with Odia Bhajan Maestro Arabinda Muduli in 2015.
Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra with Odia Bhajan Maestro Arabinda Muduli in 2015.
2015

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Puri, Odisha
Raghunath Mohapatra was born into a family of traditional sculptors in Puri's Pathuria Sahi, a hub of stone carving artisans.
1943
⚡
Career
Joined Handicraft Training Centre
Started as a master craftsman trainee at the Government Handicraft Training and Designing Centre in Bhubaneswar, transitioning from street vendor to instructor.
1963
⚡
Career
Konark horse sculpture commission
Carved the Odisha state emblem horse from Konark temple stone for Barabati Stadium, earning ₹68,000 for the work.
1968
⚡
Career
Created Sun god statue for Parliament
Crafted the six-foot grey sandstone statue of the Sun god displayed in the Central Hall of the Indian Parliament in New Delhi.
1974
🏅
Award
Received Padma Shri award
Honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for excellence in stone carving and sculpture.
1975
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan recognizing his continuous artistic achievements and temple restorations.
2001
⚡
Career
Founded Arts and Crafts Foundation
Established Raghunath Mohapatra Arts and Crafts Foundation at Sisupalgarh to train over 2,000 students in traditional sculpture.
2013
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Vibhushan
Received the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award, for lifetime contributions to Indian art and sculpture.
2013
⚡
Career
Nominated to Rajya Sabha
Joined the Upper House of Parliament as a nominated member representing arts and culture, influencing national heritage policy.
2018
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Bhubaneswar
Died due to COVID-19 complications, leaving behind a legacy of revived temple sculpture traditions.
2021
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

His iconic six-foot Sun god statue, carved in 1974 from grey sandstone, is displayed in the Central Hall of the Indian Parliament, symbolizing Odisha's contribution to national art.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1968, at just 25, Mohapatra earned ₹68,000 for carving the Konark Sun Temple’s warrior and stallion emblem in Khandolite stone, now displayed at Barabati Stadium in Odisha.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He designed and built the Tara Tarini temple in Ganjam district using the ancient Kalinga temple architectural style, a rare modern example of classical temple construction.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Special interaction with Dr. Raghunath Mohapatra (an architect and sculptor) in Sanskrit
More from this archive
Special interaction with Dr. Raghunath Mohapatra (an architect and sculptor) in Sanskrit
01
Special interaction with Dr. Raghunath Mohapatra (an architect and sculptor) in Sanskrit
Raghunath Mohapatra, Sculptor - GGPOA 2017, Day 2 - Speech
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Raghunath Mohapatra, Sculptor - GGPOA 2017, Day 2 - Speech
Raghunath Mohapatra | Wikipedia audio article
03
Raghunath Mohapatra | Wikipedia audio article
One 2 One: Interview With Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra
04
One 2 One: Interview With Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra
ବିଶୁ ମହାରଣା ହୋଇ କାମ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞାବଦ୍ଧ Raghunath Mohapatra | News18 Odia
05
ବିଶୁ ମହାରଣା ହୋଇ କାମ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞାବଦ୍ଧ Raghunath Mohapatra | News18 Odia
Presentation of D. Litt. to Raghunath Mohapatra, Eminent Sculptor, 13th Annual Convocation
06
Presentation of D. Litt. to Raghunath Mohapatra, Eminent Sculptor, 13th Annual Convocation
RAGHUNATHA MOHAPATRA (An exclusive interview with Discover Odisha)
07
RAGHUNATHA MOHAPATRA (An exclusive interview with Discover Odisha)
Raghunath Mohapatra - Full Speech - at Think Literature 2013
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Raghunath Mohapatra - Full Speech - at Think Literature 2013
Students Of Raghunath Mohapatra Narrate Their Teacher
09
Students Of Raghunath Mohapatra Narrate Their Teacher
SidhaKatha with Padma Bibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra (2nd Dec, 2017) - Etv News Odia
10
SidhaKatha with Padma Bibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra (2nd Dec, 2017) - Etv News Odia

🌱 What changed because of them

Raghunath Mohapatra revived and preserved the traditional temple sculpture art of Odisha by training thousands of students through his foundation and government institute roles. His public sculptures and temple constructions brought ancient Kalinga architectural styles into modern India, influencing contemporary temple-building practices. His tenure in Rajya Sabha and cultural institutions helped integrate artisanal heritage into national cultural policy conversations.

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