Prior to the momentous occasion of the Pran Pratishta ceremony in Ayodhya, acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik achieved a remarkable feat by creating a sand art masterpiece featuring Lord Shri Ram and the Ram Mandir. Pattnaik, known for his exquisite sand sculptures, set a new world record by installing 500 miniature replicas of the Shri Ram Temple as part of his creation.
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A few days ago, the sand artist received an invitation from the Culture Department of Uttar Pradesh to attend the consecration ceremony. Subsequently, the Padma Shri awardee expressed his gratitude, considering it a blessing to be part of such an auspicious event. Pattnaik plans to collaborate with eight of his students to craft the sand art during the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22.
Sudarsan Pattnaik, a recipient of the Padma award, has showcased his artistic prowess in over 65 international sand sculpture championships and festivals worldwide. His contributions have earned accolades for the country. Beyond his artistic achievements, Pattnaik is known for using his sand art as a powerful medium to raise awareness on global issues, including HIV/AIDS, global warming, plastic pollution, environmental conservation, counter-terrorism, and most recently, COVID-19.
In a demonstration of solidarity amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in October, Pattnaik crafted a poignant sand sculpture titled ‘Praying for Peace’ at Odisha’s Puri beach. His dedication to addressing pressing global concerns through his art underscores the impact and social consciousness embedded in each of his sand creations.