'In a Dream World': Ram Lalla Sculptor Arun Yogiraj Returns Home from Ayodhya After 6 Months of 'National Work'

Karnataka sculptor Arun Yogiraj, who returned from Ayodhya after attending the ‘pran pratishtha’ of the Ram Lalla idol – carved by him from black stone – received a grand welcome at the Bangalore airport. He was received by his mother, wife and other family members while BJP workers present there also showered him with flowers amid chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

In an exclusive interview with News18, Yogiraj and his wife Vijetha talked about how emotional it has been to see each other after nearly six months. Excerpts:

You are back in your home state after a long time. What does this moment mean to you?

Arun Yogiraj: I am surprised, I never thought about this. I was isolated for a long time and didn’t know what was happening outside. I can’t explain the feeling; there was a massive crowd to welcome me. I never thought that I would earn this in my lifetime.

Away from home for nearly six months, it must have been a challenge. By overcoming those challenges, you crafted an idol, so what would you say looking back?

It was an important national project. I was waiting for the ‘pran pratishtha’. It is a 500-year history and was a big responsibility for me. I haven’t celebrated yet. People are loving it and I feel like I am in a dream world right now.

Any important feedback that you’ve received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others?

I have heard from sources that the prime minister and others are quite happy; the bhakts are happy, and I am fortunate for that. God has truly blessed me.

What is your next goal and how are you planning to go about your next projects?

I haven’t taken up any project for the past nine months. I was not connected at all. I will take a call on this next week, but I will give priority to national works and then others.

You are getting to see your husband after nearly six months; did you ever imagine a moment like this where everyone wants to click pictures with him and congratulate him?

Vijetha: I did not expect that we would get a chance to welcome him like this. So many people are here to welcome him. I thought it would only be my family but I am surprised to see a sea of people.

What is your first message to your husband?

My first message for him is: ‘I missed you.’

When Arun got the task to craft the Ram Lalla idol, what kind of conversations did you exchange?

He said I have a tough task ahead but I need to achieve this goal. The level of research he did was huge, and that too by being away from family for so long.

You and your mother-in-law called it an exile, what are your plans now after reaching Mysuru?

We have big plans for his welcome. Away from home, he missed home-cooked meals. So, I will cook all his favourite dishes like bisibelebath, vangibath among others.

What kind of work is he more interested in? What will be the priority?

He worked very hard for this. We want to keep the tradition alive. Arun will continue doing such work in future.