Sudarsan Pattnaik Wins Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026

Sudarsan Pattnaik, a sand artist from Odisha, has become the first Indian to win the prestigious Russia Grand Sand Master Cup 2026. He received this award at the 'II International Festival of Sand Sculpture' held in Russia on June 11, 2026.

Pattnaik was honored for his outstanding contribution to sand art and for his thought-provoking artwork that highlighted the issue of global warming.

The jury unanimously selected him for this prestigious award, commending his artistic talent and his efforts to use the medium of sand art to raise social and environmental awareness.

Theme of Sudarsan Pattnaik's Sculpture

His sculpture was based on the theme of global warming. The artwork stood approximately 3 meters tall. The sculpture depicted two contrasting aspects of the Earth.

It highlighted both environmental degradation and conservation efforts. The award was presented by General Director Elena Alexandrovna.

Sudarsan Pattnaik is one of the world's most renowned sand artists. Hailing from Puri, Odisha, he has spent decades using sand art to convey messages related to environmental conservation, social awareness, humanitarian causes, and global peace.

Sudarsan Pattnaik

Born into a poor family on April 5, 1977, Pattnaik had to drop out of school during his childhood because his family could not afford the cost of education. At times, he had to work in neighbors' homes just to earn a single meal.

Lacking the money to buy paper, pencils, or paints, he turned to a canvas that cost nothing—the wet sand of Puri Beach. Around the age of seven, he began creating shapes out of sand there.

In 1994, he established the 'Sudarsan Sand Art Institute' in Puri. It was an open-air school where he taught this art form to young artists. 

Awards won by Sudarsan Pattnaik

He has won over 27 international awards. In 2014, the Government of India honored him with the 'Padma Shri'—the country's fourth-highest civilian award—for his contributions to sand art.

In 2017, he set a Guinness World Record by creating the world's tallest sandcastle on Puri Beach.

Sudarsan Pattnaik became the first Indian to win the 'Fred Darrington Sand Art Award' in 2025. This honor was conferred at the prestigious 'Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival'.