The Sculptor Boosting Shivaji’s Popularity in India

Demand for figurines and statues of the Maratha warrior king Shivaji has surged, all beginning with a simple online video. Anant Ganpat Chougule, a 25-year-old sculptor from Sawantwadi, Maharashtra, found his hobby during the Covid lockdown turned into a thriving business.

Initially, Chougule crafted a clay statue of Shivaji to pass the time. However, after posting a video of his creation on YouTube, interest in his detailed statuettes grew rapidly. These pieces, some only six inches tall, attracted a wave of customers, coinciding with a movement by the Hindu right to spotlight the 17th-century king.

“There’s a lot of demand,” said Mr. Chougule, within his studio that showcases his work. Although most sales occur online, the public’s sentiment toward Shivaji has intensified.

Organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, with ties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, have aimed to promote Shivaji, benefiting Chougule’s business. Supporters of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha empire known for fighting the Muslim Mughals, often praise his role in halting what they term the “Mughal invasion.”

Despite underlying tensions, Chougule maintains that in his hometown, distinctions between the Muslim population and historical Mughals remain irrelevant. “Right now, the situation is, they are one,” Chougule stated.