Odisha masterpiece finds home in Antilia: Anant Ambani installs 8-foot pink stone Ganesh idol by Odia sculptor

India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, now has a piece of Odisha’s heritage adorning his Mumbai residence, Antilia. An eight-foot-tall stone idol of Lord Ganesh, crafted by renowned Odisha sculptor Ashok Sahu, has been installed in the iconic residence.

The story of how the sculpture was taken from Odisha to Mumbai is as fascinating as the artwork itself. Some months ago, Anant Ambani, Mukesh Ambani’s younger son, visited Puri for a darshan of Lord Jagannath. While travelling from Bhubaneswar to Puri, his convoy stopped near Gudiapokhari for some reason.

Right beside the road stood the art and craft shop of 75-year-old master sculptor Ashok Sahu. Anant was captivated by the intricate stone carvings displayed outside. Among them, the eight-foot Ganesh idol caught his eye. Deeply impressed by the craftsmanship, he decided to take the idol to Mumbai. Today, that very sculpture stands proudly in Antilia, with Anant Ambani showering high praise on Ashok Sahu’s exceptional artistry.

A massive stone sculpture displayed in front of a shop caught his attention, prompting him to consider purchasing a Ganesh idol. Without getting out of the car, he simply took a photo of the shop’s signboard that carried the contact number and then proceeded towards the Jagannath temple for a visit.

At the time, Ashok had no knowledge of this incident. However, nearly a week later, a call came to sculptor Ashok from Anant’s office. During a video call, Ashok showcased the statue and also sent photographs of a few other sculptures to the office.

Ultimately, Anant selected this particular statue and had it transported to his home in Mumbai. The idol, made of pink serpentine stone, took three years to complete.

"When the address was put, I came to know then that the idol was sent to Anant Ambani's house. He had cleared the price. The idol has now been placed at his Antilia residence. Anant Ambani has also spoken with me. He has also assured me to do something for the sculptors," said Ashok Sahu.

A skilled artisan’s touch can leave onlookers spellbound, and Ashok is one such master craftsman whose chisel brings stone to life. Though he has yet to receive any major awards, his creations are nothing short of breathtaking. Ashok has had the privilege of contributing to the construction of prominent landmarks such as the Akshardham Temple and the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

His next goal is to set up a dedicated craft village for Odia stone sculptors, offering training to preserve and promote the ancient art. Ashok asserts that there is no substitute for 'Utkaliya' art, but with greater encouragement and recognition, Odisha’s stone craftsmanship can reach new heights and inspire artisans to continue their work with pride.

"Odisha craft is unique, and our sculptors in Odisha know special craftsmanship. People from abroad like the work in the Odisha. Unique craftsmanship of Odisha is found nowhere across the globe," asserted Ashok Sahu.