Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at Brigade Gateway Campus, Bangalore

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled by Shri. Gopalkrishna Gandhi the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi at Brigade Gateway campus, Bangalore. Padma Vibhushan Dr. K Kasturirangan and M.R. Jaishankar, CMD of Brigade Group presided over the occasion. Over a 1000 people witnessed the unveiling ceremony of this Mahatma Gandhi statue in Bangalore.

Brigade Group has made a meaningful contribution to society over the years. Brigade sponsored the Swami Vivekananda statue installed in the Ulsoor lake park and installed Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at the iconic Brigade Gateway Campus.

We considered many sculpture options to ensure we connect meaningfully to the millions of people who walk through the Brigade Gateway Campus, every year. Mahatma Gandhi is a powerful icon, the father of our nation who captured the attention of the whole world with his very simple but powerful ideals. His message still holds relevance today. And more importantly we as an organisation have the deepest respect for him and we thought by immortalising him in our flagship project will be the ideal way to pay our homage to the great soul.

During the process of identifying the right sculptor for this statue, we considered renowned sculptors from around the country. But we chose Manayya N Badiger, because he is a celebrated sculptor from Karnataka, who is a 3rd generation sculptor and among a very few in the state who are still keeping alive the ancient techniques of sculpture that were indigenously developed right here in Karnataka. Not only were we sure that his skill will give us one of the best Mahatma Gandhi statues in Bangalore that we have seen here in the city, but we were also very happy to be able to contribute to keeping this art form alive.

Commenting on the unveiling of the statue, Mr. M.R. Jaishankar, Chairman and Managing Director, Brigade Group, said, “The installation of Mahatma Gandhi’s statute at the iconic Brigade Gateway campus, Bangalore is our humble tribute to Mahatma Gandhiji, who united millions of Indians and led them to achieve the impossible. While the world is shaken by acts of violence and hatred, we feel it is time for us to follow the principles of non-violence that Mahatma Gandhi preached and practiced.”

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Shri. Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi said, "Mahatma Gandhi said no to violence and hatred. People have to remember him as a man of courage. Gandhiji always stood with the weak and gave them assurance and this is secularism. Gandhi belongs to a place where he is believed. He is believed here today."

Highlights:

• The statue was sculpted by renowned sculptor Manayya N Badiger of Kalaburagi with the assistance of 6 young sculptors and a team of 25 artisans.
• It took one year to create the statue.
• It is made of Bronze comprising Brass and Copper and weighs 1000 kg
• It is a 11 ft statue on a 6 ft high granite pedestal and stands 17 ft tall.