CM Fadnavis mourns Nagpur sculptor Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute on November 1, 2026, to Nagpur senior sculptor Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi, honouring his lifelong contribution to preserving the history and culture of cities through his art.
Key Takeaways
Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi , a senior sculptor from Nagpur , passed away, prompting a public tribute from CM Devendra Fadnavis .
CM Fadnavis described Vikamshi's contribution to giving 'history, culture, and memories of cities a living form through sculpture' as eternally memorable.
The condolence was posted on Sunday, November 1, 2026 , on X by the Maharashtra Chief Minister.
Fadnavis prayed for the soul's peace and for strength for the bereaved family, closing with 'ॐ शांति' .
The tribute underscores the role of regional sculptors in preserving local cultural heritage, as acknowledged at the highest level of Maharashtra's government.
A sculptor who gave cities their memory in stone has passed away. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, November 1, 2026, paid heartfelt tribute to Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi, a senior sculptor from Nagpur, expressing deep grief over his death.
In a condolence message posted in Hindi on X, CM Fadnavis wrote: 'नागपुर के वरिष्ठ मूर्तिकार श्री हिराचंद आनंदजी विकमशी इनके निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद है' — 'The news of the passing of Nagpur's senior sculptor Shri Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi is extremely sorrowful.' He offered a heartfelt tribute, saying Vikamshi's contribution to 'bringing history, culture, and memories of cities to life through sculpture will always be remembered.'
A life dedicated to sculpting Nagpur's living heritage
Vikamshi was regarded as a significant cultural figure in Nagpur, a city that holds both political and historical weight as Maharashtra's winter capital and the ideological heartland of the RSS. Sculptors of his stature typically devote decades to memorialising local icons, historical events, and cultural motifs — leaving behind works that outlive administrations and shape how a city sees itself.
CM Fadnavis, who represents Nagpur as a legislator and has deep personal roots in the city, prayed that the departed soul be granted peace at the feet of the Almighty, and that the bereaved family be given the strength to bear this immeasurable grief. He closed with the traditional Sanskrit invocation 'ॐ शांति' — 'Om Shanti' (May there be peace).
Political leaders and the cultural conscience they acknowledge
Condolence statements from senior leaders for regional artists and artisans are a consistent feature of Indian public life — but they are not merely ceremonial. When a sitting Chief Minister personally acknowledges the death of a sculptor, it signals the state's recognition that cultural workers are as foundational to a city's identity as its institutions. Vikamshi's work, by Fadnavis's own account, kept alive the 'history, culture, and memories' of cities — a quiet, irreplaceable labour that rarely makes front pages while it is being done.
The sculptor leaves behind a legacy etched in the public spaces of Nagpur and beyond. For those who walk past his works daily, without always knowing who made them, the tribute is a reminder of the hands that shaped what they see.
Point of View
If posthumous, form of cultural recognition. For Fadnavis, whose political identity is deeply intertwined with Nagpur, the gesture reflects the city's layered cultural ecosystem that extends well beyond its administrative importance. The tribute also fits a broader BJP pattern of invoking cultural and civilisational continuity — framing artists who preserve local memory as essential to national identity. Whether such acknowledgements translate into institutional support for working sculptors and artisans remains the more pointed question.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi?
Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi was a senior sculptor based in Nagpur, Maharashtra, known for his contributions to preserving the history, culture, and memories of cities through sculpture. He has been mourned by Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Why did CM Devendra Fadnavis pay tribute to Vikamshi?
CM Fadnavis paid tribute because Vikamshi was a culturally significant sculptor from Nagpur, the city Fadnavis represents as a legislator, and his work was considered a lasting contribution to the city's heritage.
When did Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi pass away?
The condolence by CM Fadnavis was posted on November 1, 2026. The exact date of Vikamshi's passing has not been publicly confirmed beyond this tribute.
What did CM Fadnavis say about the sculptor's legacy?
CM Fadnavis said Vikamshi's contribution to 'bringing history, culture, and memories of cities to life through sculpture will always be remembered,' and prayed for peace for the departed soul and strength for the grieving family.
Where was sculptor Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi from?
Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi was from Nagpur, Maharashtra, which is also the home constituency of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
