Bhubaneswar: President of India Droupadi Murmu on Thursday felicitated renowned internationally acclaimed sand artist Padma-awardee Sudarshan Pattnaik for winning the Golden Sand Master Award at the International Sand Sculpture Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia for Lord Jagannath sculpture.
Pattnaik created a 12-foot depiction of a Sand Ratha (chariot) carrying Lord Jagannath and his devotee Balaram Das, a 14th-century poet. The Odisha artist received a gold medal for his sculpture in St. Petersburg.
The championship, held between July 4-12, had a theme of history, mythology, and fairy tales. A total of 21 master sand sculptors from across the world participated in this championship, with Pattnaik being the sole participant from India.
So far, Pattnaik has participated in more than 65 international sand art competitions and festivals around the world and has won many accolades for the country. He always tries to spread awareness through his sand art.
Pattnaik has created awareness through his art on many social issues such as HIV, AIDS, global warming, stopping terrorism, beating plastic pollution, COVID-19, and saving the environment, among others.
