The Lion still roars in Mussoorie but sculptor forgotten

The rock-cut sculpture of a lion near Vasu Cinema on the Mall Road in Mussoorie has been a landmark too good to be missed by passing tourists. They stop for a moment to pose in front of the magnificent lion that has been sitting majestically in a roaring posture since 1960.

Tourists cannot stop marvelling the hands of the sculptor that chiselled out the King of the Jungle from rusty rocks, the art work that has stood the test of time. It is sad that the sculptor who carved out the lion along with traditional folk dancers near the Jhoola Ghar is completely forgotten by “elitist” Mussoorie.

Senior citizen Madan Mohan Sharma, who owns a shop near the sculpted lion, says eminent sculptor C Roy from West Bengal was on a maiden visit of Mussoorie in 1960. When he was roaming on the Mall Road a rock that caught his imagination and the artist in him began working on ideas. After seeking permission from the Municipal Council (MC), Roy picked up a chisel and a hammer and started the tedious work of carving the rock intricately on a daily basis for one year. His dexterity with the chisel and the hammer culminated into an imposing lion that still “roars” with pride on the Mall Road towards the Library Bazar.

The other witness to this deed is Rajendar Singh Raunchela, now 67 years. He says that the work on the rock began when he was around 17 years old. He clearly remembers the sound of the chisel on the rock as they passed by the site on their way to school. The artist worked diligently on the rock with apt concentration. for more go to...