Odisha sculpture travels to Malaysia; 25-ton Buddha statue showcases Odia Art abroad

Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty: Under the supervision of Odisha’s renowned sculptor and Padma Shri awardee Guru Prabhakar Maharana and his younger brother, National Award-winning sculptor Ratnakar Maharana, a 25-ton statue of Lord Buddha has been created. This intricately carved statue will soon shine in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

For this project, eight master sculptors from Konark worked tirelessly for four years at Dhauligiri to bring the statue to life. 

The lifeless stone has been transformed into a living image, and it will be transported in a container via Kolkata by ship to its international destination.

Using 40 tons of sandstone from Rajasthan, these eight sculptors meticulously shaped the statue, which looks as if Lord Buddha himself is seated there in person.

This masterpiece also features carvings of Buddha’s disciples Avalokiteshvara, Shariputra, Mangala Putra, as well as lions, elephants, priestesses, and more — making it another remarkable creation by Shri Maharana and his team.

The statue is now fully prepared for shipment abroad. Odisha’s sculptors are renowned for carving statues and temples with extraordinary precision, bringing stone to life. This artistic excellence, inherited from ancient times, reflects the cultural heritage of the state.

Padma Shri Prabhakar Maharana said that the artistic skills of the Odias have been famous since ancient times and are admired across the world. “If such massive statues can be created in Odisha for foreign countries, then installing similar works here would not only enhance the state’s reputation but also attract more tourists to our art and heritage,” he added.