M. S. Nagappa
Encyclopedia
Rao Bahadur
M. S. Nagappa (c. 1890 – January 12, 1942) 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
.
, 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. Following this success, Nagappa set up a studio at Narasingapuram (now part of Ritchie Street
), Madras.
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. Nagappa was awarded a "Rao Bahadur
" medal for his work.George V also appointed him official sculptor to the British Crown and presented him with a coat of arms
.
In 1936, Nagappa sculpted a statue of the Maharaja of Travancore.
is also an acclaimed sculptor. Among Mani Nagappa's creations are the Jawaharlal Nehru
statue at Kathipara Junction
and the Thiruvalluvar statue near Ulsoor Lake, Bangalore
.
Rao Bahadur
Rao Bahadur was a title of honour issued in British India to individuals who had performed great service to the nation....
M. S. Nagappa (c. 1890 – January 12, 1942) 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
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
.
Early life
Nagappa was born in a family of traditional sthapathis or sculptors. Sculpting was the main occupation of his ancestors for five generations before him. Nagappa wanted to join the Madras School of Arts but could not. However, impressed with his abilities, Hadaway, the Principal employed Nagappa as his assistant.Career
When there was a plague epidemic in the Madras PresidencyMadras Presidency
The Madras Presidency , officially the Presidency of Fort St. George and also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision of British India...
, 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. Following this success, Nagappa set up a studio at Narasingapuram (now part of Ritchie Street
Ritchie street
Ritchie street is the electronic shopping hub of Chennai city in India.All types of electronic goods imported from different part of world especially from China and Korea are available at moderate to cheap rates here. The market is spread through Narasingapuram street and wallers road adjacent to...
), Madras.
In 1935, Nagappa prepared a bronze statue of George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
and presented it to the monarch during his silver jubilee celebrations on behalf of Lodd Govinddoss, a popular businessman and philantropist of Madras. Nagappa was awarded a "Rao Bahadur
Rao Bahadur
Rao Bahadur was a title of honour issued in British India to individuals who had performed great service to the nation....
" medal for his work.George V also appointed him official sculptor to the British Crown and presented him with a coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
.
In 1936, Nagappa sculpted a statue of the Maharaja of Travancore.
Family
Nagappa had five sons, one of whom - Mani NagappaMani Nagappa
Mani Nagappa is an Indian sculptor who is known for creating statues of prominent personalities and political leaders of Tamil Nadu.- Early life :...
is also an acclaimed sculptor. Among Mani Nagappa's creations are the Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
statue at Kathipara Junction
Kathipara junction
Kathipara Junction is an important road junction in Chennai, India. It is located at Alandur, , south of Guindy, at the intersection of the Grand Southern Trunk Road , Inner Ring Road, Anna Salai and the Mount-Poonamallee Road...
and the Thiruvalluvar statue near Ulsoor Lake, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
.