India’s master jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj, who crafted the historic ‘Sengol’ sceptre that is installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair in the new Parliament, passed away at 99 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday. Ethiraj, born on Nov 25, 1926, was the last living link to Sengol’s creation.&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief, saying he is deeply saddened and recalled his contribution to India’s cultural heritage. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also expressed deep sadness and condoled his death.&nbsp;<h2>India’s leading jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;Ethiraj was the patriarch of the Vummidi family that owns the 125-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers.Ethiraj worked on the creation of Sengol, the gold-plated silver sceptre, symbolising the handover of power from British authorities to independent India in 1947.&nbsp;On the night of August 14, 1947, Nehru received the ‘Sengol’, a symbol of power, from the Adheenams (priests) of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam (Mutt) in Tamil Nadu, who had specially arrived for the occasion.&nbsp;It was precisely the moment in which power was transferred by the British into the hands of Indians.&nbsp;The Sengol, crafted by Vummidi Jewellers, found a place of prominence decades later when it was ceremonially installed in the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Modi on May 28, 2023.&nbsp;The 5 ft long silver and gold sceptre with Nandi bull on top was installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair on May 28, 2023 during the new Parliament inauguration.&nbsp;PM Modi paid tribute to Ethiraj in a post on X, saying that he will always be remembered for his efforts in crafting the Sengol that was presented to former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.“Deeply saddened by the passing of Thiru Vummidi Ethiraj Ji. Hailing from a distinguished family based in Tamil Nadu, he will always be remembered for his efforts in crafting the historic Sengol that was presented to Former Prime Minister Nehru," the PM said.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Deeply saddened by the passing of Thiru Vummidi Ethiraj Ji. Hailing from a distinguished family based in Tamil Nadu, he will always be remembered for his efforts in crafting the historic Sengol that was presented to Former Prime Minister Nehru. Many years later, in 2023, it was our Government which had the honour of giving the Sengol a place of pride in the new Parliament building. During that time, I had the honour of meeting Thiru Vummidi Ethiraj Ji and expressing gratitude for what he has done for our nation and culture. His life and craftsmanship represent a remarkable connection between India's glorious traditions and our national journey. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.

திரு உம்மிடி எத்திராஜ் அவர்களின் மறைவை அறிந்து மிகவும் வேதனையடைந்தேன். தமிழ்நாட்டை பூர்வீகமாகக் கொண்ட ஒரு பாரம்பரியமிக்க குடும்பத்திலிருந்து வந்த இவர், முன்னாள் பிரதமர் நேருவுக்கு வழங்கப்பட்ட வரலாற்றுச் சிறப்புமிக்க செங்கோலை வடிவமைத்தமைக்காக என்றும் நினைவுகூரப்படுவார். பல ஆண்டுகளுக்குப் பின்பு, 2023-ல், புதிய நாடாளுமன்றக் கட்டடத்தில் அந்த செங்கோலுக்கு உரிய கௌரவத்தை வழங்கி சிறப்பிக்கும் வாய்ப்பு எங்கள் அரசுக்கு கிடைத்தது. அப்போது திரு உம்மிடி எத்திராஜ் அவர்களை சந்தித்து, நமது நாட்டிற்கும் கலாச்சாரத்திற்கும் அவர் ஆற்றிய பங்களிப்பிற்காக நன்றி தெரிவிக்கும் பாக்கியம் எனக்குக் கிடைத்தது. அவரது வாழ்க்கையும், கலைத்திறனும், இந்தியாவின் பெருமைமிக்க வளமான பாரம்பரியத்திற்கும் நமது நாட்டின் வளர்ச்சிப் பயணத்திற்கும் இடையிலான போற்றத்தக்க தொடர்பை பிரதிபலிக்கின்றன. அவரது குடும்பத்தினருக்கும், ஆதரவாளர்களுக்கும் எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். ஓம் சாந்தி.&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2112831506049585394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;PM Modi said that his government had the honour of giving the ‘Sengol’ a place of pride in the new Parliament building.“Many years later, in 2023, it was our Government which had the honour of giving the Sengol a place of pride in the new Parliament building. During that time, I had the honour of meeting Thiru Vummidi Ethiraj Ji and expressing gratitude for what he has done for our nation and culture. His life and craftsmanship represent a remarkable connection between India's glorious traditions and our national journey. My heartfelt condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the prime minister added.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Ummidi Ethiraj, whose efforts in crafting the historic Sengol, a sacred symbol of India’s civilisational heritage, will always be remembered with respect and gratitude. 

His invaluable contribution to preserving India’s rich tradition of jewellery craftsmanship leaves behind an enduring legacy. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.&mdash; Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) <a href="https://x.com/VPIndia/status/2112851465123565689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;Vice President Radhakrishnan also condoled the death and said in a post on X that he was “deeply saddened” by the demise of Ethiraj, “whose efforts in crafting the historic Sengol, a sacred symbol of India’s civilisational heritage, will always be remembered with respect and gratitude.”“His invaluable contribution to preserving India’s rich tradition of jewellery craftsmanship leaves behind an enduring legacy. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” the VP added.

Ethiraj was the patriarch of the Vummidi family that owns the 125-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers. Ethiraj worked on the creation of Sengol, the gold-plated silver sceptre, symbolising the handover of power from British authorities to independent India in 1947.

India’s master jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj, who crafted the historic ‘Sengol’ sceptre that is installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair in the new Parliament, passed away at 99 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday. Ethiraj, born on Nov 25, 1926, was the last living link to Sengol’s creation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief, saying he is deeply saddened and recalled his contribution to India’s cultural heritage. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also expressed deep sadness and condoled his death. India’s leading jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj Ethiraj was the patriarch of the Vummidi family that owns the 125-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers. Ethiraj worked on the creation of Sengol, the gold-plated silver sceptre, symbolising the handover of power from British authorities to independent India in 1947. On the night of August 14, 1947, Nehru received the ‘Sengol’, a symbol of power, from the Adheenams (priests) of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam (Mutt) in Tamil Nadu, who had specially arrived for the occasion. It was precisely the moment in which power was transferred by the British into the hands of Indians. The Sengol, crafted by Vummidi Jewellers, found a place of prominence decades later when it was ceremonially installed in the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Modi on May 28, 2023. The 5 ft long silver and gold sceptre with Nandi bull on top was installed near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair on May 28, 2023 during the new Parliament inauguration. PM Modi paid tribute to Ethiraj in a post on X, saying that he will always be remembered for his efforts in crafting the Sengol that was presented to former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Thiru Vummidi Ethiraj Ji. Hailing from a distinguished family based in Tamil Nadu, he will always be remembered for his efforts in crafting the historic Sengol that was presented to Former Prime Minister Nehru," the PM said.

Ethiraj was the patriarch of the Vummidi family that owns the 125-year-old Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers. Ethiraj worked on the creation of Sengol, the gold-plated silver sceptre, symbolising the handover of power from British authorities to independent India in 1947.

Master jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj who crafted ‘Sengol’ dies at 99; PM Modi, VP pay tribute

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Master jeweller Vummidi Ethiraj who crafted ‘Sengol’ dies at 99; PM Modi, VP pay tribute