Raj Kumar Vudayar Fine Arts

Acharya Devagupthapu Rajkumar Vudayar International Sculptor” , a name to be reckoned in the field of sculpture art, hailed from Kothapeta, East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. First Statue of his own Making : Gautam a Buddha. Number of Statues Carved so far About 2000 Statues.Other Fields of Knowledge : Vasthu Sastra & Astrology.

Vudayarjees – The family of sculptors for three generations engaged in the profession of sculpting giving life to the statues of thousands of eminent personalities whom the public reverentially worship even after their demise. D.Rajkumar Vudayarjee, the third generation sculptor, was born to Laxmikantham and Srinatharatna Silpi couple on 4th April, 1972, the most auspicious day of Sri Ramanavami at Nattarameswaram village of West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh State. His father was a World renowned Sculptor, who had carved thousands of statues across the globe and whose influence is clearly visible in the words and deeds of Rajkumarjee.

At the age of 3, Rajkumarjee started his professional career observing his father exhibiting innate skills of making statues practically, when his age group children were preferring to play “Dagudumoothalu”. This boy was playing with the raw material and tools used in the statue making, driving home the point that he was meant to become the real heir of his father. Exulted at the child’s enthusiasm at his choosen path, his father recognized the inherent skills possessed by him and started encouraging by imparting latent knowledge in sculpting.

One fine morning Rajkumarjee presented a small statue of Mahatma Gandhi made of himself to his father as a token of gratitude towards his ever inspiring Guru. Astonished at the perseverance of his son Rajkumarjee’s father accepted him as permanent disciple and started utilizing his services in every venture he had takenup.

Meanwhile, Rajkumarjee has finished his school education without any hitch, but when it came to the college study concentration was lacking as his entire efforts were diverted to the profession. Realizing the intricacies of riding two horses simultaneously and he had to choose between his budding career and formal education. He had rightly choosen the former, only to excel in the profession as a complete sculptor. Rajkumarjee is strong believer of the Almighty, who in his view, is the creator of this universe watching the proceedings patiently and delivering judgments instantly in his mission to safeguard “Dharma”. He also believes that all the Heads of religions are the emissiories of the God, who are disseminating the knowledge in the form of messages and discourages. He had constructed a temple in the premises of his residence with “Shirdi Sai”, the idol made of himself, as presiding deity was kept open to public. This is an embodiment of his spiritual deeds.

Rajkumarjee wed-locked with Janaki on 03.04.1994 and the couple were blessed with two children, one daughter and a son. Acharyajee candidly admits the unstinted support and lively encouragement received from his family in his strides to reach pinnacle of the profession, in which the role of his better half was vital.

Accustomed to simple living, ever smiling Rajkumarjee takes life as one time opportunity gifted to utilize in the service of fellow-beings, particularly those of under privileged and the downtrodden. This great artist never used his profession for making money as his conscience never permits to run it on commercial lines. He sculpts statues keeping in view the sanctity of the profession and monetary consideration plays very little role.

Above all, Social service has become part of his life as he doled out major part of his earnings to the distressed people who are afflicted by poverty. He is more than a satisfied person on this planet to be gifted with unique skills and he feels it was his privilege to train young artists in this field who opt sculpting as their career. He says life is futile unless it becomes a beacon showing the right part to the next generations. Besides this Rajkumarjee takes up Vaasthu and Astrology as hobby with no pecuniary consideration.

Rajkumarjee rose to a crescendo with tenacity, vigour and diligence towards his committed path without compromising on the values he stood for in his life. The number of statues he sculpted stands testimony to his sterling performance in idol making. He has chiseled 2000 statues in the company of his late father and 800 statues independently, which are installed in all the districts of Andhra Pradesh and across the country as well. At the invitation of NRIs in US he had also contributed his mite by making idols of presiding deities of various temples.

Rajkumarjee’s quest for perfection in profession have been never ending and insatiable as evident from the fact that he attends seminars/ symposiums on sculpting where they are held. The art of sculpting is an ocean and no one on this earth can finish learing in one’s life time, after all the span of life is too short to live His penchant for learning is manifested in his commitment to attend Shanthinikethan and Viswabharathi, Kolkota quite frequently updating his knowledge in the field of his choice.

While making statues Rajkumarjee fully involves himself in the work and enjoys his profession completely. Though all the idols made by him are marvelous replicas of the concerned personalities, making of the following statues gave him immense satisfaction.

He has set up a Charitable trust in his late father’s name named “Srinadha Ratna Silpi Vudayar Silpakala Samskritika Dharmika Seva Samstha” and has been giving Vudayar Kalapuraskars to the eminent personalities in various cultural fields since 2011.

He has been giving a helping hand to the old and poor Artists of various fields and has been giving memontos to Kalasahithi for every Ugadi Kavisammelanam.