Born in 1937, Nagji Patel was one of India's foremost modern sculptors, celebrated for his profound understanding of stone and his ability to transform natural materials into lasting contemplative forms. Raised in the village of Juni Jithardi in Gujarat to a farming family, his earliest encounters with sculpture came through making clay toys and observing the stone deities and shrines that surrounded his rural surroundings.

These formative experiences instilled in him a lifelong sensitivity to material, form, and craftsmanship. He studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, where he initially enrolled in painting before discovering his true calling in sculpture. Later, he completed his MFA in Sculpture in 1964. The same year, he was awarded a Government of India Travelling Scholarship that enabled him to visit stone quarries across the country and learn directly from traditional stone carvers.

Working primarily in marble, sandstone, granite and wood, Patel developed a sculptural language defined by simplicity, balance and tactile beauty. His works are distinguished by the interplay of polished and rough-hewn surfaces, inspired by the weathered temple sculptures of Badami and Mahabalipuram, where centuries of human touch had transformed stone into living forms.

With a career spanning more than five decades, Patel exhibited extensively in India and internationally. His monumental sculptures are installed in public collections across India, South Korea, Japan, and Serbia. A recipient of numerous honours, including the Lalit Kala Akademi National Award, the Gujarat State Award, and more.

Patel passed away in 2017, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture, whose works continue to reflect the quiet power of material and form.