Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik bags Moscow choice prize

New Delhi, April 29:

noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has won the "Moscow choice prize" in Russia with a 12 feet creation of the Hindu elephant god Ganesha, who he says is a symbol of world peace.

"Nowadays, violence has increased in every part of the globe so I created Lord Ganesha for world peace," the Odisha artist told IANS from Moscow.

The world sand art championship 2013 was held at Moscow's Kolomenskoe Museum Reserve from April 22-28. The prize distribution ceremony was held Sunday evening. While the "Moscow choice prize" went to Pattnaik, a Ukrainian artist bagged the "sculptor choice prize" and the "people's choice prize" went to a Russian.

Pattnaik, 36, was the solo participant from India at the competition represented by 10 countries.

Ganesha has always brought him luck, the Puri-born artist said, adding that the cherubic elephant headed deity was "very popular god in Moscow".

"I have created Ganesh sculpture many a times in different themes and I have won many prizes around the world," he said.

He would like some government support.

"The government of India is not lending adequate support to sand art. Now that I have won the prize I do hope that government will do something for this art."

Pattnaik has won many international prizes, including the world championship title.

IANS