Odisha CM felicitates Sudarsan Pattnaik for winning gold at International Sand Sculpture Championship

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 14 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi felicitated sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik at his residence in Bhubaneswar on Saturday for winning the Golden Sand Master Award with a gold medal at the International Sand Sculpture Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Chief Minister’s office said.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that while Pattnaik’s talent has made him famous at the individual level, it has also made Odisha proud. “He is Odisha’s and the country’s pride,” the CM added.

CM Majhi noted that having won numerous national and international competitions, Pattnaik continues to excel in sand art. The Chief Minister expressed hope that he will achieve even greater fame in the coming days.

At the International Championship in St. Petersburg, Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand sculpture of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and his great devotee Balaram Das.

“Congratulations to Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik for winning gold medal at International Sand Sculpture Championship at St. Petersburg. @sudarsansand,” the Indian embassy in Russia said in a post on X.

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.

“Jai Jagannath. My sand chariot of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and His great devotee Balaram Das, Sculpture Won Golden Sand Master Award with Gold medal at International sand sculpture championship/festival 2024 at St.Petersburg, #Russia,” Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik posted on x.

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.

Pattnaik is also a Padma Shri awardee, India’s 4th highest civilian award. He runs a sand art school at Puri Beach in Odisha.

So far, Padma-awardee artist Sudarsan 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.

The Odisha sand artist 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.