Who is Sudarsan Pattnaik? The Indian Sand Artist Honored with the Prestigious British Sand Master Award!

Recognition for a Talented Artist

Bhubaneswar: The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Sudarsan Pattnaik, a renowned sand artist from Puri, for receiving 'The Fred Darrington', the inaugural British Sand Master Award at the Sandworld Sand Sculpture Festival in Weymouth, UK.

In a message shared on X, Majhi expressed, "My warmest congratulations to Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik for being honored with the first British Sand Master Award, 'The Fred Darrington.' His impressive 10-foot statue of Lord Ganesha at the International Sand Art Festival conveyed a powerful message of peace and has significantly contributed to showcasing our cultural heritage on a global platform."

Currently in the UK, Pattnaik remarked, "Receiving this award from the Mayor of Weymouth is a great honor for me. It is named after Fred Darrington, a significant figure in the world of sand sculpture. I dedicate this recognition to my fans and supporters who have always stood by me."

It’s a privilege to receive the 'Fred Darrington' British Sand Master Award at Sand World 2025, as a first Indian Sand Artist from Mr. Jon Orell, Mayor of Weymouth UK. During the International Sand Art Festival. pic.twitter.com/Xt7MTBIO3M

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) April 6, 2025

Pattnaik's creation, a towering 10-foot representation of Lord Ganesha, carries the theme of 'World Peace.' He noted that this competition was part of the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival held in Weymouth, UK.