Vummidi Ethiraj, a renowned Indian jeweller who helped craft the historic Sengol installed in India’s new Parliament building, passed away in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday at the age of 99. His death prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan to express their condolences. Ethiraj belonged to the family behind Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, a jewellery business with a legacy spanning 125 years. His contribution to India’s traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage earned him widespread recognition. Leaders remembered his role in creating an important symbol of the nation’s history.
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PM Modi Pays Tribute to Ethiraj’s Contribution
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Ethiraj’s death through a post on X. He recalled the jeweller’s role in crafting the Sengol, which former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru received before India gained independence in 1947. Modi highlighted how the historic sceptre represents India’s rich traditions and national journey. He also recalled meeting Ethiraj in 2023 and thanking him for his contribution to the country’s cultural heritage. The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to Ethiraj’s family and admirers.
Ethiraj helped create the Sengol, a gold-plated silver sceptre associated with the transfer of power from British rule to independent India in 1947. Priests from the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam in Tamil Nadu presented the sceptre to Nehru on the eve of Independence. The Sengol later gained renewed national attention when the government decided to install it in the new Parliament building. On May 28, 2023, Prime Minister Modi ceremonially installed the historic artefact during the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The Sengol now stands as a prominent symbol of India’s historical and cultural traditions.
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A Lasting Legacy in Indian Jewellery Craftsmanship
Ethiraj served as the patriarch of the Vummidi family, which owns the Chennai-based Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers. The business has maintained its presence in India’s jewellery industry for more than a century. His work on the Sengol connected traditional jewellery craftsmanship with a defining moment in India’s history. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also paid tribute to Ethiraj, describing his contribution to the Sengol’s creation as a lasting part of the nation’s civilisational heritage. He acknowledged Ethiraj’s role in preserving India’s rich jewellery-making traditions and offered condolences to his loved ones.
The passing of Vummidi Ethiraj marks the loss of a craftsman associated with one of India’s most recognisable historical artefacts. His contribution to the Sengol brought attention to the skill and heritage behind traditional Indian metalwork. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the honour of giving the sceptre a place in the new Parliament building in 2023. Vice President Radhakrishnan also recognised Ethiraj’s efforts to preserve India’s jewellery craftsmanship. His legacy will remain connected to the Sengol and the historical story it represents.
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