Sudarsan Pattnaik was born and raised in the coastal beauty of Orissa, India. He came from humble beginnings, but he’s now one of the best and most well-known sand artists in the world. He creates unbelievable sand sculptures, inspired by recent events of local and global significance, national holidays, and whatever else comes to Sudarsan’s mind.
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Here are 25 of his best creations and more information about the talented artist:
Hard at work
Image via Northwest Asian Weekly
Image via USA Today
Image via The Telegraph
Image via The Telegraph
Sudarsan grew up in a middle class family in India. At a young age, he was forced to drop out of school due to unforeseen financial strains upon his family. With more free time, he began exploring different hobbies and soon discovered sand art at Puri Beach when he was 7 years old. Sculpting sand quickly became his hobby, passion, and escape. Sudarsan, who is completely self-taught, says his skills were very immature and unpolished when he started out, but after meticulous practice, his hard work and commitment started to show. Crowds of people would gather around him while he was working, since it was so unusual to see someone making ornate, incredibly detailed works of art on a beach.
Sudarsan’s skills increased drastically over the following years, garnering him widespread attention. He has competed in over 50 international sand art competitions since 1998 and received countless accolades. He’s written a book, broken world records on sand sculpture, and is the brand ambassador for the National Aluminum Company. One of his most famous pieces, “Save Trees, Save the Future” (below), won him the People’s Choice Award in the solo division at the world cup of sand sculpting.
After gaining widespread fame, especially in his home country, Sudarsan established the Sudarsan Sand Art Institute in 1995 at Puri Beach. His goal has always been to bring attention to this fine and rare form of art. When the institute began, most of the students were from India, but recently students have attended from all over the world.
Award-winning piece with partner Matthew Roy
Image via Orissa Diary
Award-winning “Save Trees” Sculpture
Image via Peggy in the Vines
Sudarsan has won awards for global excellence, youth honors, and even received an honorary doctorate. One of his biggest achievements took place this year when he was given the Padma Shri award, one of the highest honors a civilian can be awarded in the Republic of India for contributions in art, literature, social work, medicine, and many other spheres.
Grand prize winner at the Copenhagen International Sand Sculpture Festival with this piece he worked on for 7 days
Image via KMHouse India Blog
Honored by the former president of India, Prabitha Patil for winning the gold medal at the Moscow World Sand Sculpture Championship
Image via Orissa Diary
His works are stunning, realistic, and guaranteed to catch anyone’s eye — especially with his unique use of colors. Here’s more of his surreal work.
Taj Mahal-World Record For Highest Sand Art Depiction
Image via Amazing India Blog
Most Santa Claus sand sculptures, world record. Sudarsan and his students created 500 of these Santa sculptures on the beach.
Image via The Guardian
He often promotes going green and being active in his community
Image via Orissa Diary
Image via Kannan Writes
His response when the price of onions rose
Image via The Hindu
Image via The Hindu
Image via Mega Media News
Encouraging people to help save the local turtle population
Image via Orissa Diary
He always creates sculptures highlighting current events
Image via Haaretz
Image via TVARAJ Blog
Image via India West
Image via Khabar South Asia
And just makes awesome detailed works in general
Image via The Telegraph
Image via Orissa Diary
Image via The Telegraph
Amazing work Sudarsan!
Image via TVARAJ Blog
So what can we learn from Sudarsan? When life gives us lemons (e.g. forced to drop out of school), it is not the end. No matter the circumstance, like Sudarsan, we can always pursue a passion and make a difference in the world.
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