CHENNAI: Renowned sculptor and architect V Ganapathi Sthapati passed away on Tuesday evening. He was 84. The architect, known for his mastery of the Vasthu Shilpa Shastra and a Padma Bhushan awardee, passed away due to multiple organ dysfunction at a private hospital in the city.Sthapati’s famous works of architecture and design include the Valluvar Kottam in Chennai and the 133-feet high statue of Thiruvalluvar off the coast of Kanyakumari, which he designed to signify the 133 chapters of the ancient Tamil ethical treatise Thirukkural.Sthapati is also known for his design and oversight of the construction of the Tamil University in Thanjavur. His death comes even as work on the famed Iraivan Temple in Hawaii, which he designed and directed, moves towards completion. Sthapati is also remembered to his contributions to the modern understanding of the Agama Shastras with respect to Shilpa and Vasthu Shastras. He had served as the principal of the Government College of Architecture and Sculpture and has been known for pushing measures to bring academic acceptance to the traditional architectural codes and disciplines of India. He is survived by wife Dakshnavathi. Sthapati was born in 1927 to sculptor Vaidyanatha Sthapati and Velammal in Pillayarpatti, a village near Karaikudi. He hailed from a family of sculptors. His ancestors built the famous Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur. He authored many books on the philosophical principles of Sthapatya Veda and offered practical examples of the rhythm and creation of rhythm-bound forms that give rise to structures.DMK chief M Karunanidhi condoled the master builder’s demise. “I offer my condolences to the family of Ganapathi Sthapathi. His death is a great loss to the world of architecture and sculpture,” the former CM said.
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