Early Life and Education
Born on 13th March 1961 at Kannankurichi village in Salem District of Tamilnadu. His avid interest towards pictures and arts, directed towards drawings and able to win prizes in school competitions. As he found his passion for arts, he joined at "Poompuhar", an Art Metal training Centre at Salem and undergone intensive training from 1975-1977 under the guidance of National Award Winner Master Craftsman Shri Vaidyanatha Stapathi.
After completion of training, at the age of 16, he joined at Chennai Poompuhar Design Centre and started his own profession as Artist. In the year 1981, with 4 years of experience in the field of Bronze Art Metal crafting, he started his own crafts unit, "Balamurugan Bronze Arts work" at Salem.
National and State Recognition
From his crafts unit, they started designing and making of Bronze arts. He participated in National and state level exhibitions and won prizes and honours from Art lovers. His works were appreciated by both Central and state government institutions and he expanded his art crafts from Bronze to Stone works and Cement works.
Training the Next Generation
As he believes in sharing his skills with next generation to keep this art alive, from his institute, he initiated training classes for younger generations. From his institute, he trained and developed more than 50 youngsters with the help of Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Government of India, New Delhi and through DRTA, Government of Tamilnadu - TRYSEM scheme.
Shilpa Agama Shastra and Iconic Works
As he was trained in the ancient-style Shilpa Agama Shastra, he is now evolved newer designs and creating the statues as per Agama guidelines. For example, his creation of 3.5 Ton "Ananda Narthana Ganapathi" is a blend of ancient and modern style, which is made for London Museum and is now at display in Chennai Poompuhar.
Temple Renovation and Revival
Due to his avid interest in arts, after a period of time he also started focusing on preserving the old temples which were struggling due to financial stress and left without maintenance. He has renovated more than 100 temples which were left to perish and rebuilt them and finally conducted Kumbabishekam with his own funds and from donors across the world.
One of the notable works in his career was Nagabaranam to Tanjore Brahadeeswara Temple. Until his work to main deity, Tanjore Big Temple was considered as tourist place and no Agama poojas were conducted. As per request by Raja Bonsale of Tanjore palace, Rajastapathi presented 14 inch high Brass metal Nagabaranam to the temple. After installation of art work, from then 6 times poojas as per Agama Sastra had been restarted and temple regained its value as Spiritual place for worship.
Artisan Welfare and Social Service
He believes in "saving of arts is possible through saving of artisans". They have started a craftsmen trust, with which they help old artisans and their families in way of funding for artisans, children education and provide employment in their projects and help for their livelihood.
During his tenure as a member of Board of Directors in Tamilnadu State Handicrafts Association, they identified and implemented special schemes for welfare of old artisans and their families. Providing training alone will not be sufficient for youngsters and so they involve them in their own projects and provide them with hands-on training and develop them into an independent artist-entrepreneur.
International Cultural Outreach
Indians spread across the world and they spread our culture to those new civilisations. As an artist of sculptures, he is serving to spread our cultural heritage across the world. They are constructing and renovating temples and provide sculptures to countries like Malaysia, Singapore, England and Canada.
President, Silpaguru Awardees Association
As the President of Silpaguru Awardees and National Awardees Handicrafts Artisan Welfare Association at Salem, his mission is to preserve our ancient Indian heritage through its symbols - Statues, Temples and through which human kind utilise it for making their lives an ethical one and live closer to the natures possible as they can.
COVID-19 Social Service
During COVID-19 Pandemic, our Balamurugan Bronze Arts work involved in various social services along with various government offices. One of the services was to distribute mid-day meals to all government servants in and around Kannankurichi village, Salem. With guidance from Rajastapathi, artists in our institution served hygienically cooked meals to nearby 30,000 government servants for about 50 days. Our service was recognised by many government officers of Salem Corporation.
