Dr Hiremath Foundation honours sculptor Arun Yogiraj with prestigious 'Abhinava Amarashilpi' award

Karwar:  Sculptor Arun Yogiraj bestowed with prestigious 'Abhinava Amarashilpi' award by Dr Hiremath Foundation at Sagar Darshan convention hall here, in Karwar, Uttar Kannada district, on Monday. 
The foundation is headed by Dr Vishwanath Hiremath, a maxillofacial surgeon from Dandeli. It runs a chain of hospitals across the State.
The Mysuru-based sculptor’s 51-inch Ram Lalla idol carved out from Krishna Shila stone, was installed at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Speaking after receiving the award, Arun Yogiraj said, “I am extremely happy to receive the award. I will dedicate this award to my co-artists, engineers and all those who strived for the historic event.” Stating that the award comes with many responsibilities, Arun Yogiraj said that he will share the knowledge with the younger generation. 
He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for realizing the historical moment of inaugurating Ayodhya temple. “This could not have been possible without PM Modi. I am still amazed at people’s devotion to Lord Ram and how ideology of Ram is significant to this world,” Arun Yogiraj said. He noted that 65 lakh people visited Ram temple in Ayodhya in just a month alone!

Drawing parallels between legendary sculptor ‘Amarashilpi’ Jakanachari and Arun Yogiraj, the Hiremath Foundation honoured him with ‘Abhinava Amarashilpi’ for sculpting ‘Ram Lalla’ statue and scripting history. 
“Just like Beluru and Halebeedu temples where Jakanachari carved out sculptures, Ayodhya Ram Mandir too has a religious significance. Honouring Arun Yogiraj with ‘Abhinava Amarashilpi’ is an extension of gratitude,” believes the foundation.  
On the occasion, as many as 200 religious heads of Uttar Kannada district also felicitated. 
Sri Ram Sene leader Pramod Mutalik delivered keynote address where Dr Hiremath Foundation president Dr Vishwanath Hiremath presided.