The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has permanently installed a 90-kilogram bronze statue of Maharishi Sushruta, universally revered as the “Father of Surgery.” Positioned near the iconic Playfair Hall, the monument bridges ancient medical heritage with modern surgical excellence, serving as an inspiration for newly qualified surgical Fellows passing by during graduation ceremonies.
Crafted over two months in Swamimalai, Tamil Nadu, by master sculptor Raghavanantham Sthapathi, the sculpture utilizes the historic lost-wax casting method to embody the rich cultural legacy of ancient Indian medicine. The landmark installation was envisioned and donated by the CheruvuFamily Foundation, led by Professor Chandra Cheruvu, an eminent UK-based laparoscopic surgeon.
Dating back over 2,500 years, Sushruta’s foundational Sanskrit text, the Sushruta Samhita, pioneered over 300 complex procedures,including early plastic surgery and rhinoplasty and described more than 120 unique surgical instruments. Accompanying the installation, a new academic compendium featuring 40 global experts was released to map these ancient methodologies directly to contemporary medical practices, highlighting the multicultural roots of modern surgery.
Written by: Pragna Biswas
Graphics by: Pramit Hazra
