Eminent Odisha-based sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been invited by the Indian Embassy in Paris to create a sand sculpture on the Cannes’ beaches during the International Film Festival there to be held between May 14 and 25.
Pattnaik, on his part, said he is excited to create a sculpture on Indian cinema at the Cannes. His student Bulu Mohanty would be assisting him in this task. The Indian Embassy has informed Pattnaik that Air India will sponsor the international passages and the Indian tourism department will bear his and assistant’s hospitality cost during their stay in France.
Pattnaik, a native of Puri town, has been conferred this year with the Padma Shri. He has participated in more than 50 international sand sculpture championships and festivals across the world and won many prizes