Tribute to the Father of Surgery
A bronze statue of Maharishi Sushruta, widely regarded as the Father of Surgery, has been unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Scotland. Skilled artisans from Swamimalai near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu crafted the statue using the region’s centuries-old lost-wax bronze casting tradition.
Crafted in Swamimalai
Master sculptor Raghavanantham Sthapathi and his team created the statue after UK-based surgeon Professor Chandra Cheruvu led the initiative. The Cheruvu Family Foundation donated the sculpture to the Royal College, recognising Maharishi Sushruta’s lasting contribution to surgery and medical science.
As per The Hindu, the statue reflects both India’s rich medical heritage and the exceptional bronze-casting craftsmanship of Swamimalai, which is renowned for producing traditional metal sculptures.
Celebrating India’s Medical Legacy
The unveiling ceremony brought together surgeons, academics, diplomats, and dignitaries from India and the United Kingdom. Speakers highlighted the historic links between India and Scotland in medicine and acknowledged the Royal College’s role in advancing surgical education worldwide.
Maharishi Sushruta, believed to have lived over 2,500 years ago, authored the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit medical text that documents surgical procedures, instruments, and medical ethics. The installation of his statue at one of the world’s oldest surgical institutions serves as a global recognition of India’s enduring contributions to the field of medicine.