A year has passed by, but the Pune Municipal Corporation has not tried to give a last thought to the promise of building a statue which was propossed soon after the Government of India conferred upon the highest award- Bharat Ratna to city based music maestro- Bhimsen Joshi.

The PMC had approached city based sculpture Sharad Kapuskar to make a statue of Bharat Ratna awardee-B. Joshi, but this sculpture is still waiting for the green signal from the PMC officials.

In 2008, PMC corporatoter Shanker Kamse was the first person to put forth the concept and had himself approached Sharad Kapuskar to make the statue of the kirana gharana music maestro. The place for the statue was also finalized at a jogging park in Bhusari Colony in Kothrud.

The park was to be named after Joshi and he was happy with the permanency of the gift,” said Kapuskar while speaking to the reporters on Wednesday. The study portrait is ready. The stone has been selected. The plan has apparently been mooted. So what are we waiting for?

questions Kapuskar.

This enthusiastic sculpture Kapuskar has even told the PMC’s garden superintendent B. Mane that what he needs is the final nod from the PMC asking him to go ahead with the project even though the fund for this work will take tome to come.

Mane had agreed to give me the letter. But apparently, there was no typist present to prepare the letter. He said it would be sent to me at home by the next day. It still hasn’t reached me

he says.

I know Bhimsenji personally. But ever since he won the Bharat Ratna, I haven’t called on him. I can’t, I’m just too embarrassed

Kapuskar says.

It was decided that the larger than the image of the living legend playing tabala would be made.

I was thrilled. Instead of white marble, I decided upon black stone to do justice to the subject. You see, black stone has a depth and texture that is necessary to recreate Bhimsenji’s strength and commanding aura

explains Kapuskar. Kapuskar then brought the stone needed for the statue from Karanatka at his own expenses.

I usually don’t do work for the government. But Kemse, who is familiar with my work, convinced me to do. So, I agreed because I was excited about the whole project. Even the then garden superintendent Yashwant Khaire took a great deal of interest

he says.

Kemse explained as to why this a year stretched long delay caused for the project to come into effect.

Things were a bit delayed because Khaire took voluntary retirement

he said. He further said that we feel sad for the delay, but very soon Kapuskar will get a go ahead with the project as PMC has agreed to allocate the funds.