Sudarsan Pattnaik Wins Golden Sand Master Award at International Championship in Russia

St. Petersburg (Russia): Renowned Indian sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has won the Golden Sand Master Award at the International Sand Sculpture Championship held in the St Petersburg city of Russia.

Pattnaik registered victory after creating a 12-foot depiction of a Sand Ratha (chariot) carrying Lord Jagannath and his devotee Balaram Das, a 14th century poet. He received a gold medal for his sculpture. 

He landed the pole position after competing with 20 other master sand sculptors from across the world who took part in this championship. Pattnaik was the sole participant from India.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Sudarsan Pattnaik said, ”Jai Jagannath. My sand chariot of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and His great devotee Balaram Das, Sculpture Won Golden Sand Master Award with Gold medal at International sand sculpture championship/festival 2024 at St.Petersburg, #Russia.”

The Indian Embassy in Russia also congratulated the sand artist for accomplishing this feat.  

“Congratulations to Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik for winning the gold medal at the International Sand Sculpture Championship at St. Petersburg,” Embassy posted on X. 

Pattnaik, a Padma Shri awardee artist has so far participated in over 65 International sand art championships and festivals around the world.