Indian sand artist sculpts gold in Russia

Bhubaneswar, July 19: Odisha-based sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik's sculpture of lord Ganesha has won a gold medal at an international sand art competition in Russia.

Pattnaik's seven-foot creation shows Ganesha sitting on Kailash mountain with his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati. The theme of the 12th International Sand Art Competition, 2013, held from July 10-18 in Saint Petersburg, was "International Fairy Tales".

Twenty sculptors from all over the world took part.

"I was the only artist from India," Pattnaik told IANS over phone from Russia.

"It was a memorable moment for me when the organizers announced that my sculpture had won the gold medal," he added.

The 36-year-old artist has participated in more than 50 international sand art competitions and won many accolades.

He recently won the Danish grand prize in Copenhagen where he sculpted on the theme of "Go Green, Save Earth".

IANS