Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness over the passing of Vummidi Ethiraj on October 21, 2026, highlighting the craftsman’s contributions to a key symbol of India’s independence. In a post on X that included a message in Tamil, Modi described how Ethiraj hailed from a distinguished family in Tamil Nadu and would be remembered for crafting the historic Sengol given to former Prime Minister Nehru. The prime minister noted that his government had the honour of installing the Sengol in the new Parliament building in 2023, adding that he met Ethiraj during that period to convey gratitude for his service to the nation and its culture. Modi ended the message with condolences to the family and admirers along with the words Om Shanti.
The family announced the demise of Vummidi Ethiraj at his Chennai residence due to old age, inviting relatives to gather for the final rites performed on the same day. He was preceded in death by his wife Sumitra Vummidi and is survived by three sons, Vijaya Bharathi, Uday Kumar Vummidi and Vijayendren Vummidi, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren, according to the family statement. As a senior member of the Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers, a business operating in Chennai for more than 125 years, Ethiraj belonged to a lineage known for its expertise in traditional craftsmanship, a UNI report from the city stated.
The Sengol, a silver sceptre coated in gold and measuring approximately five feet in length, was produced in 1947 by roughly 10 artisans from the Vummidi workshop over a period of 10 to 15 days, government details shared in 2023 show. It had been commissioned by the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam monastery, which supplied the design incorporating religious symbols, and was presented to Nehru on August 14 that year as a representation of the transfer of power from British rule, according to accounts from the time. Ethiraj, then about 20 years old, participated in the creation alongside other family members, helping produce an object that later spent decades in the Nehru Gallery of the Allahabad Museum in Prayagraj.
Installation of the Sengol near the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chair took place on May 28, 2023, during the inauguration of the new Parliament building, an event that renewed national attention on its history and the artisans involved. Ethiraj attended the ceremony and received recognition for his early contribution to the artefact, which Modi referenced in his condolence post as a connection between India’s traditions and its national journey. The 2023 placement marked the first time the Sengol occupied a position of prominence in the legislature since independence, according to parliamentary records.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan offered his own tribute, stating that Ethiraj’s efforts in crafting the Sengol, viewed as a sacred symbol of civilisational heritage and righteous governance, would be remembered with respect. In a separate message, Tamil Nadu Governor R.V. Arlekar described how the craftsman played a historic role in making the Sengol at a young age, adding that his life had become part of a significant chapter in the nation’s story. Both leaders extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, aligning with the sentiments Modi conveyed on X.
The Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers family has maintained its focus on heritage jewellery techniques across generations, with the Sengol project standing as one of its most recognised works in the public sphere. Renewed interest in the sceptre after 2023 has underscored the cultural continuity it represents from ancient Chola-era practices to modern democratic institutions, a point emphasised in official remarks during the Parliament event. Ethiraj’s passing at 99 closes a direct living link to the 1947 commission that helped shape a lasting emblem of power transfer.
