Gadkari mourns passing of Nagpur sculptor Hirachand Vikamshi

Key Takeaways

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari mourned the passing of Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi , a senior sculptor from Nagpur .

Gadkari described the news as 'extremely saddening' and offered a heartfelt tribute on 1 November 2026 .

He called Vikamshi's contribution to the field of sculpture 'significant' and said his work 'will always be remembered'.

Gadkari prayed for peace for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family, closing with ॐ शांति .

Nagpur has a longstanding tradition of sculptors and artisans acknowledged periodically by public representatives.

Nagpur has lost one of its quiet masters of form and stone. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday, 1 November 2026, paid heartfelt tribute to senior sculptor Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi of Nagpur, calling his passing deeply saddening and honouring his lasting contribution to the art of sculpture.

In his post, Gadkari wrote — 'नागपुर के वरिष्ठ मूर्तिकार हिराचंद आनंदजी विकमशी जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद है' ('The news of the passing of Nagpur's senior sculptor Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi is extremely saddening'). He offered his 'heartfelt tribute', affirmed that Vikamshi's work 'will always be remembered', and prayed that God grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family, closing with the traditional invocation 'ॐ शांति' (Om Shanti). Vikamshi's place in Nagpur's art tradition Nagpur carries a quiet but enduring tradition of sculptors and artisans whose work shapes the city's temples, public spaces, and cultural institutions. Vikamshi was counted among its senior practitioners — figures whose craft is passed down through years of dedicated practice rather than national headlines. Gadkari, whose political and personal roots run deep in Nagpur, has consistently used his public platform to acknowledge cultural contributors from the region, recognising that a city's identity is shaped as much by its artists as by its infrastructure. The tribute reflects a broader practice among Indian public representatives of offering formal, public condolences on social media for cultural figures from their home constituencies — a gesture that brings regional artists into the national conversation, even briefly, at the moment of their loss.

Point of View

Whose identity is inseparable from Nagpur, such gestures also reinforce a constituency-level bond that goes beyond policy. The condolence signals that the cultural community — sculptors, artisans, craftspeople — is viewed as part of the social fabric worth acknowledging publicly. Whether local civic bodies or art associations follow this with formal recognition of Vikamshi's legacy remains the next, quieter chapter.

NationPress

1 Nov 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi?

Hirachand Anandji Vikamshi was a senior sculptor from Nagpur, recognised for his significant contribution to the art of sculpture in the region.

Why did Nitin Gadkari pay tribute to Hirachand Vikamshi?

Gadkari, who has deep roots in Nagpur, mourned Vikamshi's passing on 1 November 2026, honouring his contribution to sculpture and expressing condolences to his family.

What did Nitin Gadkari say about Hirachand Vikamshi?

Gadkari said the news of Vikamshi's passing was 'extremely saddening', called his work in sculpture 'significant', and said it 'will always be remembered'.

What is Nagpur's tradition in sculpture and arts?

Nagpur has a documented tradition of local sculptors and artisans whose work shapes the city's temples, public spaces, and cultural institutions, with senior practitioners like Vikamshi being key figures in that legacy.

What does 'Om Shanti' mean in Gadkari's tribute post?

'ॐ शांति' (Om Shanti) is a traditional Hindu invocation meaning 'Om, Peace' — commonly used in India as a prayer for the peaceful rest of a departed soul.