Sudarsan Pattnaik, born in 1977 in Puri, Odisha, is a world-renowned sand artist best known for his breathtaking and thought-provoking sculptures created on the sandy shores of the Puri beach. Coming from a humble background and raised in poverty, Pattnaik began experimenting with sand art at a very young age, despite having no formal training. Over the years, his dedication and creativity turned him into a global ambassador of Indian art and culture.
His sand sculptures often carry strong social messages from peace and environmental awareness to disaster relief and national pride. He has represented India in over 60 international sand sculpture championships and festivals across the globe and has won numerous awards for his innovative and meaningful art.