Sudarshan to create AIDS awareness in World Sand sculpture meet

Bhubaneswar, Apr 26 (UNI) Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik will create awareness against dreaded AIDS through his art at the World Sand Art Championship to be held in Canada from May 10.

Sudarshan is the only Indian to have been selected for the five day event where all former world sand sculptors of the last 16 years would participate at British Columbia near Vancouver city.

The sand artist from the holy city of Puri was selected for winning the last world sand sculptor championship held in Berlin.

His theme then was Mahatma Gandhi's non violence as a means to achieve world peace.

Sudarshan told UNI that he would like to create awareness on HIV/AIDS through his art during the championship depicting people praying to Lord Ganesh to save them from the horrors of the dreaded disease.

Since last two years Sudarshan is on the job creating awareness about HIV/AIDS through his sand sculpture at Puri beach in Orissa.

He said he would create an 8 feet high image of Lord Ganesh and people praying to him to save them from AIDS which has been spreading at an alarming rate causing widespread concern. He would be assisted by his student Manas Kumar Sahoo.

The artist said nearly 14 participants from all over the world including USA, Canada, Holland, China and Australia would represent their respective countries in the championship.

Sudarshan has already participated in more than 27 international sand sculpture championships around the world and won many awards for the country. His sand sculpture on Black Taj Mahal has received worldwide acclaim.

Some of his creations in sand include tsunami,poaching of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, recreation of world famous Sun Temple at Konark,torture in Abu Ghraib prison, war and peace,super star Amitabh Bachchan, Lord Ganesh and Taj Mahal.

UNI DP PL AKP1409