Padma Shri Award will encourage sculptors, says Rajastapathi

“This award will encourage sculptors and juniors to take me as a role model and I will teach them about the intricacies in this field,” said sculptor Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar, who is selected for the Padma Shri Award under the arts category.

Mr. Goundar told journalists on Sunday, “I consider this award as a recognition by the gods, as my field is related to temples. I got three years of training in a gurukulam from 1975 through the Tamil Nadu Handloom Department, and I am in this field for the past 51 years. I dedicate the award to Lord Shiva-Parvathi and Vishnu-Mahalaxmi. I thank the Union government for recognising my field.”