Vummidi Ethirajulu, the revered master goldsmith and elder statesman of the historic Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers (VBJ) family who hand-crafted India’s sacred ‘Sengol’—the scepter installed inside the Lok Sabha chamber of the New Parliament building—has passed away in Chennai at the age of 99 due to age-related ailments. News of the master artisan’s demise drew widespread tributes from political leaders, cultural historians, and traditional jewelers across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the nation in expressing grief and honoring his indelible legacy in preserving India’s spiritual and legislative heritage.

PM Narendra Modi Condoles Demise of Master Artisan

Expressing heartfelt condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the veteran silversmith and recalled his role during the historic inauguration of the New Parliament House in May 2023. Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote: “Saddened by the demise of Thiru Vummidi Ethirajulu. He will always be remembered for his role in handcrafting the historic Sengol, which is a key symbol of our cultural heritage. He was an artist whose work reflected devotion to the art and to the nation. His passing away is a big loss to the world of art and craftsmanship. Condolences to his family and admirers in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”

Crafting History at Age 20: The Creation of the Sacred Sengol in 1947

Vummidi Ethiraj was barely 20 years old when his family was entrusted with one of the most sacred artistic commissions in modern Indian history. In August 1947, on the eve of India’s independence, veteran statesman C. Rajagopalachari consulted the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam in Tamil Nadu to revive the ancient Chola tradition of handing over a scepter to symbolize the righteous transfer of power (Dharma Danda). The Adheenam commissioned the revered Chennai-based firm Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers to forge the golden emblem.

Working day and night alongside his brother Vummidi Sudhakar and under the guidance of his elders, Ethiraj channeled exquisite traditional Chola iconography into the design:

• Sacred Dimensions: A five-foot-long silver scepter plated in pure gold, reflecting solemn sovereignty and spiritual rectitude.

• The Divine Nandi: Capped at the summit with a hand-carved seated figure of Nandi, representing Nyaya (unwavering justice, truth, and vigilance).

• Intricate Chola Filigree: Adorned with delicate floral motifs and engraved patterns embodying traditional Dravidian metalwork.

The finished Sengol was presented to India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on August 14, 1947, by the pontiffs of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam to sanctify the birth of independent India.

Rediscovery and Parliament Enshrinement in 2023

For decades after Independence, the historic Sengol was preserved in the collection of the Allahabad Museum, labeled simply as a golden walking stick presented to Nehru. Its true historical lineage was traced and brought to public consciousness ahead of the inauguration of the New Parliament building in May 2023. The Union government formally retrieved the sacred scepter and enshrined it directly adjacent to the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair as a permanent national symbol of virtuous governance.

In an emotionally resonant moment during the inaugural rituals in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi met the elderly Vummidi brothers in person, touching the feet of the nonagenarian craftsmen and draping them in traditional shawls to publicly celebrate their historic contribution to the republic.

A Lifetime Dedicated to Temple Art and Traditional Craftsmanship

Beyond the national fame brought by the Sengol, Vummidi Ethiraj spent nearly eight decades dedicated to temple jewellery, sacred deity ornamentation, and traditional gold craftsmanship. Revered within the southern artisanal guild as a patron of classical metalworking techniques, he mentored generations of silversmiths and preserved ancestral design philosophies against modern mass-manufacturing trends. His passing marks the close of an era in South Indian jewelry heritage, but his finest creation stands tall at the center of the world’s largest democracy as an eternal testament to his artistry.