My Compelling Story

Sudarshan Pattnaik is a professional sand artist based out of the capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar. He has been sculpting images on sand since the age of seven and has, since then, designed hundreds of sand art. He was the brand ambassador of NALCO, India and has established ‘The Golden Sand Art Institute’ which is the first sand art institute in India. His sculptures include famous festivals, environmental crisis, religious tolerance, and national integrity. Sudarsan has represented India in more than 50 international Sand Sculpture Festivals and championship all around the world and won 27 championship prizes for the country. During 2013, he won the first prize at the 12th International Sand Sculpture Competition in Russia, Danish grand prizes at the International Sand Competition Championship, Denmark, and won the Moscow Museum Prize at Russia. He won the first prize and public prize in Denmark in 2011 and a double medal at the Solo International Sand Art Contest, Mervala, in 2012. In 2010, he won the gold medal for the People Choice Award at the third Moscow World Sand Sculpture Championship. He also won three medals in North American Solo Sand Sculpture Championship and the People’s Choice Award in Canada and Moscow. In 2009, he won the Korea Sand Sculpture Award. In 2008, he was the World Champion title holder at the USF World Sand Sculpture Championship, Berlin. Apart from this, he is the five times winner of People’s Choice Award at Berlin, which is a record. His sand sculpture on Black Taj Mahal earned him accolades all over the world. He has received many national and international awards for his creative designs and has recorded his name in the World records. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 2014.