| Rao Bahadur M. S. Nagappa |
|
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1890 Madras, British India |
| Died | January 12, 1942 (age 51) Madras, India |
| Occupation | sculptor |
| Known for | sculpting a statue of George V on the silver jubilee of his reign |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Children | Mani Nagappa |
Rao Bahadur M. S. Nagappa (c. 1890 – January 12, 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]
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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]
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 Govinddoss, a popular businessman and philantropist of Madras.[3][2] Nagappa was awarded a "Rao Bahadur" medal for his work.[3][2]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]
Nagappa died at Narasingapuram on January 12, 1942 at the age of 51.[1]
Nagappa had five sons, one of whom - Mani Nagappa is also an acclaimed sculptor. Among Mani Nagappa's creations are the Jawaharlal Nehru statue at Kathipara Junction[5] and the Thiruvalluvar statue near Ulsoor Lake, Bangalore.[2][6]