M. S. Nagappa

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]

Rao Bahadur
M. S. Nagappa
Bornc. 1890
Madras, British India
Died12 January 1942 (age 51)
OccupationSculptor
Known forsculpting a statue of George V on the silver jubilee of his reign
Children5, including Mani Nagappa

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. The Indian review, Volume 43. G. A. Natesan. 1942. p. 108.
  2. "Sunday Celebrity:Mani Nagappa: sculpturing and vintage cars his love". Asian Tribune. 11 (133). 14 November 2009.
  3. Frederick, Prince (6 May 2009). "Memories of Madras: Giving shape to the past". The Hindu.
  4. Raj, R. Joseph Pradeep. "Interview with Mani Nagappa".
  5. Sridhar, Lalitha (5 February 2001). "Chiselling history". The Hindu.
  6. Lalitha, S. "'I never thought I would live to see unveiling of statue'". Deccan Herald.
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