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The International Sand Artist Festival celebrates the spectacular displays of sand artists from India and from other many countries. The soft golden sands are sculpted into various magnificent forms. Wood, stone, bronze and other attractions are added to the exhibition. Skilled sculptors bring to life the wonderful sand exhibits on the seashores of Chandrabhaga beach.Famous Orissa sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik who has been awarded the Padma Shree for his marvelous art is the brand ambassador of the event. As many as 30 Indian and 10 foreign artists are expected to participate in International Sand Art Festival organized in Orissa. Best sand artists from Mexico, Spain, Singapore, France, Norway, Germany, Netherland & USA and remaining 20 artists are from different states of India will participate and produce sand art. The cut-throat competition between participants is definitely a sight to watch. The creator of best sand art will win a prize of INR 100,000.

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Odisha Sand Art Festival: From Dates To Venue, Here’s All You Need To Know

Odisha is known all around for offering amazing travel experiences. Be it Puri’s religious tourism or the beautiful beaches in several parts of the state, a huge number of travel enthusiasts visit this state every year. One of Odisha’s most iconic celebrations that many of us wait for is the Sand Art Festival. The state is getting ready to host the festival soon and here’s all you need to know about it.

Here Are All The Updates Of Odisha Sand Art Festival:

Taking to the X (formerly Twitter) platform, Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) shared a splendid sand art for the grand festival of Western Odisha at Puri Beach.

#ନୂଆଁଖାଇଜୁହାର Heartfelt greetings on the pious occasion of #Nuakhai . May Maa Samaleswari bless for good harvest and prosperity. My sand art in Puri beach for the grand festival of Western Odisha. #NuakhaiJuhar 🙏 pic.twitter.com/PywupcrR6y — Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) September 20, 2023

The exquisite craftsmanship of artists and their creativity with sand is such a surreal thing to witness. Every presentation looks like something so surreal and unreal. We all know how it is impossible to hold sand inside our fists due to its texture. But with proper creativity, skilled people can use the granules and create something so elegant and blissful to take a look at.

• International Sand Art Festival 2023 is scheduled to take place from December 1 to December 5, 2023.
• The venue of this glorious event is Konark’s  Chandrabhaga Beach.
• The year 2023 marks the 13th edition of the event.
• The Odisha Tourism Department is organising this incredible event in partnership with Sudarsan Pattnaik. Sudarsan Pattnaik is a remarkably famous sand artist. He has also won the Padmashree Award.
• Participants can only use sea beach sand to curate the beautiful art pieces in this festival.

Art has such stunning forms. There is creativity hidden in different aspects and things all around us. If you are enthusiastic about such magnificent art forms and their expressions, you definitely need to be in Konark during the Sand Art Festival. The beautiful fusion of art in spectacular natural landscapes will steal your heart.

Also read:  Odisha To Get 2nd Vande Bharat Express From Puri To Rourkela; To Operate From Sept 25!

Interested Participants Can Start Applying For The Festival Starting This December

Ajay Rawat Sand Artist (@sandartistajay) took to the X (formerly Twitter) platform to share some sneak peeks of his sand art at the International Sand Art Festival from the year 2019.

Today my sand art at international sand art festival #odisha , subject #hokey #nationalgameofindia #sandart #rajasthan @my_rajasthan @artizzzz @ashokgehlot51 @narendramodi @rashtrapatibhvn @ZeeNewsHindi pic.twitter.com/nOGeswLnSX — Ajay Rawat Sand Artist (@sandartistajay) December 4, 2019

Odisha Tourism has already shared all the details for the interested ones willing to take part in this innovative festival at Chandrabhaga Beach. Everyone needs to submit pictures of their work and profile. You can head to the official website for all the rules and regulations mentioned for the participants.

Also read:  Keraleeyam 2023: Trivandrum To Host 7-Day Food Festival; To Feature 2,000 Dishes At 11 Venues

Around 70 artists from different places in India visit Odisha to participate in the festival. In fact, around 10 people from international places reach the state for participation, according to a report by Native Planet. A brilliant part about attending the festival is that you can have a conversation with the artists, get to know some fascinating insights into the art form, and also understand the stories hidden behind their presentations.

Locals of Odisha, are you attending the much-await Sand Art Festival? Also, if you are not from the state and planning to visit there during the first week of December, make sure to add this beautiful experience to your itinerary.

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Sand Art in Odisha

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Sand Art Unique Handicraft Started in Odisha

Odisha is the birth place of Sand Art . Afterwards it spread all over the world. Sand Art is carving of sculpture in sand. It is quiet easier and quicker than Stone Carving. For Sand Art only fine grained sand and water is used.  An artist can shape a beautiful and attractive sculpture on the beach, with the help of fine grained sand and with the blessings of God and by the taboo of fingers. Sudarsan Pattnaik is one of the famous Sand Art artists of Odisha. His works are also interesting, mostly based on current world issues, festivals, world peace, sports etc.

History of Sand Art

There is an ancient talk behind Sand Art. The author of Dandi Ramayan, Poet Balaram Das was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. Once he tried to climb the chariot of Lord Jagannath during Ratha Yatra to offer his prayer. But he wasn’t allowed by the priests of the chariot to climb it to offer his prayer and also insulted by them. Then he was frustrated and humiliated for this. He went to the beach and carved the statues of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the Golden sand. Then there he started praying and worshipping these statues. This is the power of his devotion that the original statues vanished from the chariot and appeared at that place where he was worshipping.

Development of Sand Art

Now-a-days, most artists are acquainted with the stone work. So stone sculpturing is treated as the first step of sand sculpturing. Learning the art of carving on sand is an easy process. So within short period people can learn the Sand art. Sand sculptures are very eye catching and transferable, it is also destroyed easily. Once the sand will be dried, it will be destroyed.

International Sand Art Festival

Every year Sand Art Festival is celebrated in Odisha during 1 st December to 5 th December. Every year this Festival is organized by Odisha Tourism. Sand artists from India and from different countries come and participate in this competition. A prize of Rs 100,000 money is given as prize to the best sand artist. Mostly sand artists come from Mexico, Spain, Singapore, France, Norway, Germany, and Netherland & USA. Sudarsan Pattnaik, the Famous Odia sand artist is taken as the brand ambassador of the International Sand Art Festival organized in Odisha by the Odisha tourism.

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13th edition of the International Sand Art Festival begins in Odisha's Puri

The festival attracts skilled sand artists from various corners of the globe who come together to showcase their talent for creating sculptures out of sand..

The 13th edition of the International Sand Art Festival, a renowned cultural event that annually takes place on the beautiful Chandrabhaga Beach, commenced in Odisha's Puri on Friday. This festival attracts skilled sand artists from various corners of the globe who come together to showcase their talent for creating intricate and breathtaking sculptures entirely out of sand.

(Also Read | Long Weekends 2024: The complete list of long weekends in 2024 )

Each year, the festival revolves around diverse themes, ranging from cultural heritage to social issues to environmental conservation. This diversity reflects the global perspective and awareness embedded in the artistry.

Artists utilise the golden sands of the beach as their canvas, crafting intricate designs and sculptures that often convey messages.

This festival not only attracts international sand sculptors but also celebrates the talents of local artisans. The fusion of global perspectives and local flair creates a vibrant tapestry of artistic expression.

The festival aims to promote tourism , celebrate the rich artistry of sand sculpting, and provide a platform for artists to exchange ideas and techniques.

Visitors to the festival have the opportunity to witness the evolution of these ephemeral masterpieces throughout the event.

The sculptures, despite their temporary nature, leave a lasting impression due to their intricate details and the skilled hands that brought them to life.

The International Sand Art Festival at beautiful Chandrabhaga Beach in Puri's, Odisha, not only serves as a cultural and artistic extravaganza but also plays a role in promoting the coastal beauty of the region, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and tourists alike.

More than 100 artists, including international artists from the USA, Australia, Sri Lanka, Russia, Belarus and the Czech Republic, will participate in the International Sand Art Festival in 2023.

The International Sand Art Festival was started in 2011 on the Chandrabhaga beach in Puri, Odisha. The festival is held annually from December 1-5. The 2023 festival will be the 13th edition.

The festival showcases the artists' creative imagination. The sand art is part painting and part sculpture, with no adhesive holding the grains of sand in place.

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International Sand Art Festival

01/12/2023 - 05/12/2023

Chandrabhaga Beach, Odisha

The International Sand Art Festival is a remarkable cultural event held by the Orissa Tourism Department. Held at the Chandrabhaga Beach , 3 km from Konark, the sand art festival is an event for people in love with sand creations. It is one of the events which highlights Orissa and its wonderful tourism opportunities.

The Sand festival celebrates sand sculptures produced by skillful sand artists. Not just the traditional sand sculptures, get ready for all kinds of exhibits. Expect sand, stone, bronze or wood, created by skillful sand artists. The sand festival is free for spectators. Remind yourself the excitement of creating things with sand.

History of International Sand Art Festival

The International Sand Art Festival was started in 2015 on the Chandrabhaga beach, a short distance from Konark. It was a part of the Konark Dance Festival that is organized during the same time. Due to the proximity from Konark Sun Temple, both these events have tourists crowding from all over the world. The 2 nd edition is to be held on December.

Celebrations of International Sand Art Festival

The International Sand Artist Festival celebrates the spectacular displays of sand artists from India and from other many countries. The soft golden sands are sculpted into various magnificent forms. Wood, stone, bronze and other attractions are added to the exhibition. Skilled sculptors bring to life the wonderful sand exhibits on the seashores of Chandrabhaga beach.

Famous Orissa sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik who has been awarded the Padma Shree for his marvelous art is the brand ambassador of the event. As many as 30 Indian and 10 foreign artists are expected to participate in International Sand Art Festival organized in Orissa. Best sand artists from Mexico, Spain, Singapore, France, Norway, Germany, Netherland & USA and remaining 20 artists are from different states of India will participate and produce sand art. The cut-throat competition between participants is definitely a sight to watch. The creator of best sand art will win a prize of INR 100,000.

The event witnesses thousands of people from all over the world coming to see this festival. Do not miss the Konark Dance festival which will be celebrated during the same time.

How to Reach

Konark has great air, rail and road connectivity. It is accessible from most major parts of India. Here is how to reach Konark:

Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to Konark . The air terminal is nearly 64 km from the city. The airport is connected domestically throughout the country. International travelers need to get connections through Delhi or Kolkata. From the airport there are options of cabs, buses and private vehicles to the beach city.

Konark is connected by Puri railway junction. Regular direct train services are available from many cities in India. The railway station is 31 km from the coastal town. Taxis easily take you to the beach.

Konark is connected with the neighboring cities through well-constructed roads. State owned buses offer regular connections. Taxis and private vehicles can easily commute to the coastal town.

Attend the International Sand Art Festival, check out accommodations in Konark from our listed collection. Luxury hotels, boutique hotels, budget lodgings, all kinds of hotels in Konark are available for bookings. Explore more of Odisha, with our collection of tour packages. Culture, history, beach, festivals, wildlife, or anything you wish for, we provide you with suitable Orissa holiday packages.

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13th International Sand Art Festival and 34th Konark Festival inaugurated

December 1, 2023 Art & Culture

Konark: Department of Tourism’s two flagship events 13 th International Sand Art Festival and 34 th edition of Konark Festival were inaugurated virtually today by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

“I welcome everyone to this beautiful open-air auditorium in the premises of this 13th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the Sun Temple acting as the grand backdrop for the stage, together we’ll witness the beauty of Odissi and other Indian classical dance performances by several prolific artists from India and across the globe,” said the Chief Minister in his video message.

Minister of Tourism Aswini Patra and Minister of Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services and Home Tusharkanti Behera as guest of the event lit the ceremonial lamp as part of the inaugural ceremony. The five-day programme is organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi (OSNA) and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC). 

Renowned as a platform that showcases India’s cultural depth through various classical dance forms, the inaugural show witnessed Odissi performance by Soor Mandir – Jyotsnarani Sahoo & Group, Cuttack. This maiden performance of the evening showcased Odissi dance recitals on NAAD NINAAD , a dance that started with an invocation to Lord Jagannath and Lord Surya with the Surya Mantra followed by SARANAM , a dance that signified the power of surrendering to the Lord.

This was followed by an ethereal Bharatnatyam performance by Praveen Kumar and group of Chithkala School of Academy from Bengaluru. They showcased dance recitals named JATHISWARAM , SHIVANJALI & THILLANA. Jathiswaram was an example of a pure dance or Nritta sequence in which the performer wove several patterns on a basic musical composition. In the beginning a shloka on Sun God was evoked as he is the dispeller of darkness. SHIVANJALI was a composition on Lord Nataraja that described the sheer magnificence of his cosmic dance. THILLANA showcased the fitting finale to any Bharatnatyam dance, which comprised of intricate footwork, graceful poses and was followed by a benediction to Lord Krishna.

Simultaneously during these five days, the pristine Chandrabhaga Beach will witness thematic sand arts by 114 renowned sand artists from across the globe which includes 6 international artists from Australia, Czech Republic, Russia, Belarus, USA and Sri Lanka apart from national artists from Odisha and 7 other Indian states including West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, Telangana, Assam and Andhra Pradesh.

The 13 th International Sand Art Festival 2023 was graced by Minister Tusharkanti Behera.

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Odisha sand art festival.

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The Glory of Pleasant Odisha Sand Art Festival

Odisha is the land of fair and festivals; here many types of religious festivals of Hindu culture are celebrated along with that many other festivals such as beach festivals, tribal festival and sand art festival etc are celebrated by peoples of Odisha. From 1st December to 5th December at Konark in the state Odisha, India the great Odisha sand art festival is celebrated. Thousands of marvelous sand artists from various countries such as Mexico, Spain, Singapore, France, Norway, Germany, Netherland & USA etc are participating in this festival. Konark is a world famous tourist destination popularly known for the Sun Temple pin pointed here, to visit this ancient temple and to explore the beautiful stone art and great architecture of this temple tourist from all over the world coming to Konark. To increase the tourist flow and to provide more pleasure to visitors the sand art festival is organized.

Great Sand Art and Sand Art Artist of Odisha

Odisha is a costal state here 500 km of long coastline is present in which puts many beautiful sea beaches. The sandy beaches of Odisha especially Puri beach and Konark beach are very suitable for sand art, many beautiful sand sculpture are made by sand artists of Odisha in different beaches. The Golden Sand Art Institute of Odisha is an institute in which thousands of students learning to create sand sculptures.

Sudarsan Pattnaik is an award winning sand artist of Odisha. He was awarded by the Padma Shri by Government of India in the year 2014 for his great sand sculptures. He represents India in 50 international Sand Sculpture championships also he won 27 championship prizes from different countries around the globe for the India. He is a great talent of Odisha, India who create a unique identification of Odisha.

Tourist Interest in Odisha Sand Art Festival

Thousands of tourists from different parts of the country are coming to visit Konark only to enjoy the sand art festival of Odisha. Also the foreign tourist those come to explore Sun Temple Odisha they also love to join the sand art festival of Odisha. The beautiful arts and sculptures are looks wonderful and watching the artists creating these sand sculptures are amazing feeling.

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International Sand Art Festival

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Sand art is the practice of modelling sand into artistic forms and believe it or not, competitions are held in various parts of the world to promote and showcase the art. Sand sculptures are large, complex constructions. Just to give some numbers the largest sandcastle made till now was 18 ft. tall, required one ton of sand and 10 litres of water.

Sand sculpting as an art form has become very popular in recent years especially in coastal beach areas. Techniques can be quite sophisticated, and record-breaking achievements have been noted in the Guinness World Records. The second edition of International Sand Art festival will be held at Konark’s Chandrabhaga beach, coinciding with the Konark Dance Festival

National and international sand maestros are expected to participate in the competition. The creator of best sand art will get purse money of Rs 100,000. As many as 20 Indian and 10 foreign artists are expected to participate in the competition.

In India, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik help popularize the art form. A self-taught artist, Patnaik has started Sudarsan Sand Art Institute in Puri to propagate the art, impart training and develop the art.

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Odisha Welcomes Tourist Season With 13th International Sand Art Festival And 34th Konark Festival

The five-day programme is organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi (OSNA) and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC).

• By JE News Desk
• Published: Sat, 02 Dec 2023 02:31 PM (IST)
• Source: JND
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Department of Tourism’s two flagship events 13th International Sand Art Festival and 34th edition of Konark Festival were inaugurated virtually today by Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik.

"I welcome everyone to this beautiful open-air auditorium in the premises of this 13th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the Sun Temple acting as the grand backdrop for the stage, together we’ll witness the beauty of Odissi and other Indian classical dance performances by several prolific artists from India and across the globe," said the Hon’ble Chief Minister in his video message.

Hon'ble Minister of Tourism Shri Aswini Patra, Minister of Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services and Home Shri Tusharkanti Behera as honourable guest of the event lit the ceremonial lamp as part of the inaugural ceremony. The five-day programme is organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi (OSNA) and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC). 

Renowned as a platform that showcases India’s cultural depth through various classical dance forms, the inaugural show witnessed Odissi performance by Soor Mandir - Jyotsnarani Sahoo & Group, Cuttack. This maiden performance of the evening showcased Odissi dance recitals on NAAD NINAAD, a dance that started with an invocation to Lord Jagannath and Lord Surya with the Surya Mantra followed by SARANAM, a dance that signified the power of surrendering to the Lord.

This was followed by an ethereal Bharatnatyam performance by Praveen Kumar and a group of Chithkala School of Academy from Bengaluru. They showcased dance recitals named JATHISWARAM, SHIVANJALI & THILLANA. Jathiswaram was an example of a pure dance or Nritta sequence in which the performer wove several patterns on a basic musical composition. In the beginning, a shloka on Sun God was evoked as he is the dispeller of darkness.

SHIVANJALI was a composition on Lord Nataraja that described the sheer magnificence of his cosmic dance. THILLANA showcased the fitting finale to any Bharatnatyam dance, which comprised of intricate footwork, and graceful poses and was followed by a benediction to Lord Krishna.

Simultaneously during these five days, the pristine Chandrabhaga Beach will witness thematic sand arts by 114 renowned sand artists from across the globe which includes 6 international artists from Australia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Belarus, the USA and Sri Lanka apart from national artists from Odisha and 7 other Indian states including West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, Telangana, Assam and Andhra Pradesh.

The 13th International Sand Art Festival 2023 was graced by the Hon’ble Minister of Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services and Home Shri Tusharkanti Behera. The live streaming of the dance festival has been made available on the social media handles of Odisha Tourism apart from telecasting it live on DD Bharati in a bid to reach a wider audience from 1st – 5th December.

The festivals were attended by Hon’ble MP Jagatsinghpur Dr Rajashree Mallick, Chairman OTDC Dr Lenin Mohanty, Director Tourism Shri Sachin R. Jadhav and Advisor BNTYY Shri Durga Prasad Samantray and noted Sand Artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik among other government officials.

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• Updated On Dec 3, 2022 at 03:56 PM IST

Cabinet approves Odisha Tourism Policy 2022, to be unveiled on December 3

Once the gazette notification is out, the new Odisha Tourism Policy 2022 is slated to supersede the existing Odisha Tourism Policy 2016 from December 3, 2022. The Department of Tourism plans to officially roll out the new policy during the upcoming Make in Odisha Conclave. The 2022 policy will envisage acceleration of growth in the tourism sector through private sector participation and a special spotlight on Wellness and Medical Tourism and other booming sectors.

• Published On Dec 3, 2022 at 03:56 PM IST

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• konark festival

Odisha welcomes the tourist season with a mix of exciting events;  13th International Sand Art Festival and 34th Konark Festival inaugurated

Konark: Department of Tourism’s two flagship events 13th International Sand Art Festival and 34th edition of Konark Festival were inaugurated virtually today by Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik.

“I welcome everyone to this beautiful open-air auditorium in the premises of this 13th century UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the Sun Temple acting as the grand backdrop for the stage, together we’ll witness the beauty of Odissi and other Indian classical dance performances by several prolific artists from India and across the globe,” said Hon’ble Chief Minister in his video message.

Hon’ble Minister of Tourism Shri Aswini Patra and Minister of Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services and Home Shri Tusharkanti Behera as honourable guest of the event lit the ceremonial lamp as part of the inaugural ceremony. The five-day programme is organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi (OSNA) and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC).

Renowned as a platform that showcases India’s cultural depth through various classical dance forms, the inaugural show witnessed Odissi performance by Soor Mandir – Jyotsnarani Sahoo & Group, Cuttack. This maiden performance of the evening showcased Odissi dance recitals on NAAD NINAAD, a dance that started with an invocation to Lord Jagannath and Lord Surya with the Surya Mantra followed by SARANAM, a dance that signified the power of surrendering to the Lord.

This was followed by an ethereal Bharatnatyam performance by Praveen Kumar and group of Chithkala School of Academy from Bengaluru. They showcased dance recitals named JATHISWARAM, SHIVANJALI & THILLANA. Jathiswaram was an example of a pure dance or Nritta sequence in which the performer wove several patterns on a basic musical composition. In the beginning a shloka on Sun God was evoked as he is the dispeller of darkness. SHIVANJALI was a composition on Lord Nataraja that described the sheer magnificence of his cosmic dance. THILLANA showcased the fitting finale to any Bharatnatyam dance, which comprised of intricate footwork, graceful poses and was followed by a benediction to Lord Krishna.

Simultaneously during these five days, the pristine Chandrabhaga Beach will witness thematic sand arts by 114 renowned sand artists from across the globe which includes 6 international artists from Australia, Czech Republic, Russia, Belarus, USA and Sri Lanka apart from national artists from Odisha and 7 other Indian states including West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, Telangana, Assam and Andhra Pradesh.

The 13th International Sand Art Festival 2023 was graced by Hon’ble Minister of Electronics & IT, Sports & Youth Services and Home Shri Tusharkanti Behera.

The live streaming of the dance festival has been made available on the social media handles of Odisha Tourism apart from telecasting it live on DD Bharati in a bid to reach wider audience from 1st – 5th December.

The festivals were attended by Hon’ble MP Jagatsinghpur Dr. Rajashree Mallick, Chairman OTDC Dr. Lenin Mohanty, Director Tourism Shri Sachin R. Jadhav and Advisor BNTYY Shri Durga Prasad Samantray and noted Sand Artist Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik among other government officials.

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• Friday, May 31, 2024

Odishafocus

• Arts & Crafts

Sand Art of Odisha: The Timeless Beauty of Odisha’s Sand Art

Table of Contents

Sand Art of Odisha🎨

Odisha is a state on the eastern coast of India that is home to a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. One of the most unique and captivating aspects of Odisha’s culture is the art of sand sculpture. In recent years, sand art has gained global recognition as a form of artistic expression, and Odisha has emerged as a hub for this art form.

History and Origins

The roots of sand art in Odisha can be traced back to ancient times when local artisans would create intricate designs on the sandy shores🏖️. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the art form gained widespread recognition, thanks to the pioneering efforts of one man – Padma Shri Sudarsan Pattnaik.

Sudarsan Pattnaik, a native of Puri, is a globally acclaimed sand artist who has played a pivotal role in bringing the traditional art of sand sculpting to the forefront. Inspired by the rich cultural tapestry of Odisha, he began experimenting with sand art in the 1980s, and his innovative creations soon garnered attention both nationally and internationally.

Themes and Motifs

What sets Odisha’s sand art apart is the diversity of themes and motifs that artists explore. From depicting mythological stories to addressing contemporary social issues, the artists use the grains of sand as a medium to convey powerful messages. The transient nature of the medium adds an ephemeral quality to these sculptures, creating a unique blend of beauty and impermanence.

Techniques and Process

Creating a sand sculpture is no simple feat. Artists carefully choose a location on the beach with the right consistency of sand and begin by piling up mounds of it. They then sculpt and carve the sand using a variety of tools, often only relying on their hands and simple implements. The process requires skill, precision, and a deep understanding of the characteristics of sand.

Events and Festivals

Several events and festivals in Odisha celebrate the art of sand sculpting, attracting artists from across the globe. The International Sand Art Festival held annually in Puri is a major highlight, bringing together maestros who showcase their talents on a global stage. These events not only promote cultural exchange but also provide a platform for artists to share their vision and techniques.

Preserving the Tradition

While sand art in Odisha has gained widespread acclaim, there is a growing awareness of the need to preserve and promote this unique cultural heritage. Efforts are being made to establish sand art institutes, organize workshops, and create awareness campaigns to ensure that the art form continues to thrive for future generations.

Despite the challenges of creating sand sculptures, artists in Odisha continue to produce stunning works of art that captivate audiences around the world. In recent years, sand art festivals have become a popular attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to Puri Beach to witness the creativity and talent of these artists.

Odisha’s sand art is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of its people. From the ancient origins on the sandy shores to the modern masterpieces that grace international exhibitions, this unique art form has come a long way. As the grains of sand shift and settle, so too does the art of Odisha continue to evolve, leaving behind a legacy that captivates and inspires all who encounter it.

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The sand art of Odisha : The international sand art festival

• Post author By Mala Chandrashekhar
• Post date May 27, 2022
• 1 Comment on The sand art of Odisha : The international sand art festival

ॐ श्री गुरुभ्यो नमः   ॐ श्री शिवानन्दाय नमः ॐ श्री चिदानन्दाय नमः ॐ श्री दुर्गायै नमः 

Experience Odisha & its Art & Culture

Source of all Images in this Blog-post :  Google Images  : ‘Google Image Search’ will reveal the multiple sources of every single image shared in this Blog. For more details, kindly see ‘ Disclaimer ‘

International Sand Art Festival 2016 at Odisha India – Part 1 – Save the Sea – YouTube

Sand Art : A Unique Art-form that Started in Odisha

International Sand Art Festival, Konark 2019 | Short Video | OdishaLIVE – YouTube

Odisha is the birth place of Sand Art. Afterwards it spread all over the world. Sand Art is carving of sculpture in sand. It is quiet easier and quicker than stone carving.

For Sand Art only fine grained sand and water is used.  An artist can shape a beautiful and attractive sculpture on the beach, with the help of fine grained sand and by the magic of fingers.

Sudarsan Pattnaik is one of the renowned Sand Art artists of Odisha. His works are artful & interesting, mostly based on current world issues, festivals, world peace, sports etc.

Sudarsan Pattnaik creates world record with tallest sand sculpture – YouTube

International Sand Art Festival 2017 at Konark – YouTube

History of Sand Art   

There is an ancient story behind Sand Art. The author of Dandi Ramayan, Poet Balaram Das was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath of Puri. Once he tried to climb the chariot of Lord Jagannath during Ratha Yatra to offer his prayer. But he wasn’t allowed by the priests of the chariot to climb it to offer his prayer. He was also insulted by them.

This made Balaram feel extremely humiliated. He went to the beach and carved the statues of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the Golden sand.

Then there he started praying and worshipping these statues with utmost devotion.

Through the power of his devotion, the story goes, that the original statues vanished from the chariot and appeared at the place where poet Balaram was worshipping.  

Held at the Chandrabhaga Beach , 3 km from Konark, the sand art festival is an event for people in love with sand creations. It is one of the events which highlights Odisha and its wonderful tourism opportunities. The sand festival is free for spectators.   

Famous Sand Art | Puri Beach | Odisha | Amazing Talent – YouTube

Development of Sand Art

Now-a-days, most artists are acquainted with the stone work. So stone sculpturing is treated as the first step of sand sculpturing.

Learning the art of carving on sand is an easy process. So within a short period people can learn the Sand art.  

Sand sculptures are very eye catching and transferable. It is also destroyed easily. Once the sand dries, the sculpture will be destroyed.

International Sand Art Festival

Every year Sand Art Festival is celebrated in Odisha from 1 st December to 5 th December. It’s organized by Odisha Tourism. Sand artists from India and from different countries come and participate in this competition.

A prize of Rs 100,000 is given as prize to the best sand artist.   Mostly sand artists come from Mexico, Spain, Singapore, France, Norway, Germany, Netherland & USA.  

Sudarsan Pattnaik , the Famous Odia sand artist is taken as the brand ambassador of the International Sand Art Festival organized in Odisha by Odisha tourism.  

Tete-a-tete with Padma Shri sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik (Hindi) – YouTube

Sudarshan patnaik’s biography | servant to gold medalist – youtube, dreaming with sand – docufiction on sudarsan pattnaik – youtube, guftagoo with sudarshan patnaik – youtube, bharat ek khoj: sudarsan pattnaik – the master of sand art – youtube.

Held at the Chandrabhaga Beach , 3 km from Konark, the sand art festival is an event for people in love with sand creations. It is one of the events which highlights Odisha and its wonderful tourism opportunities. The sand festival is free for spectators. 

History of International Sand Art Festival

The International Sand Art Festival was started in 2015 on the Chandrabhaga beach. This beach is at a short distance from Konark. It was a part of the Konark Dance Festival that is organized during the same time.

Due to the proximity from Konark Sun Temple, both these events have tourists crowding from all over the world.  Skilled sculptors bring to life the wonderful sand exhibits on the seashores of Chandrabhaga beach.  

The renowned Odisha sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik who has been awarded the Padma Shree for his marvelous art is the brand ambassador for the event.  

The event witnesses thousands of people from all over the world coming to see the captivating festival. Please do not miss the Konark Dance festival which will be celebrated during the same time.

By Mala Chandrashekhar

Introducing Blogger Mala Chandrashekhar - a specialist academically trained in modern Western sciences, yet deeply enamored with India's timeless ethnic arts, crafts, and textiles. Her heart beats for the rich and glorious cultural and spiritual heritage of India, and she has dedicated her entire blog to spreading the immortal glories of ancient India worldwide. Through her simple yet impactful blog posts, Mala aims to reach every nook and corner of the globe, sharing India's beauty and wisdom with the world.

But Mala doesn't stop at just sharing her own thoughts and ideas. She welcomes constructive criticisms and suggestions to improve her blog and make it even more impactful. And if you share her passion for India's culture and heritage, she extends a warm invitation for high-quality guest blog posts.

Ready to dive into the world of India's ageless beauty? Follow Mala on LinkedIn and join her in spreading the magic of ancient India to the world.

LinkedIn Profile : https://in.linkedin.com/in/mala-chandrashekhar-04095917a

One reply on “The sand art of Odisha : The international sand art festival”

Nice blog.Thanks for sharing content and such nice information for me. I hope you will share some more content about.Please keeps sharing!

Best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park

In the ‘gay capital’ of Asia, Chinese LGBTQ+ emigres look to build a new life

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In 2019, business was booming for Owen Zhu. He was one year into his new career in real estate, showing Bangkok properties to Chinese investors.

Then the pandemic halted travel and spending. Even now, Chinese buyers are slow to return.

The exception has been one group that has since become Zhu’s specialty: LGBTQ+ clients looking to build a new life for themselves outside China.

“Most of them are buying to live in or to retire in — not like many straight people or friends, who are prioritizing investments,” Zhu, 40, said.

Before the pandemic, Zhu estimates, about one-fourth of his clients were LGBTQ+. Now they make up two-thirds of his customer base.

As China has clamped down on queer representation and advocacy, Bangkok, long the “gay capital” of Asia, has offered visitors a reprieve from the conservative culture back home.

Here, the thriving nightlife of gay bars and clubs draws many potential buyers to look for apartments near the city center, Zhu said.

Zhu, who is also gay and from China, bought an apartment in Bangkok in 2017 for his eventual retirement. As friends started asking his advice on how to make their own purchases, he quit his job in Chinese media to help them find properties full time.

As his clientele has changed, so has Zhu’s marketing on Chinese social media. In between property listings, he now shares updates on efforts to legalize same-sex marriage and surrogacy in Thailand.

With demand growing, Zhu said he hopes to start a housing complex catering to gay Chinese in the next few years.

The growing LGBTQ+ community means Zhu runs across more business opportunities in his daily life in Bangkok.

That’s how he met Danny Dong, 29, who moved from China’s Suzhou province in October 2022.

A year ago, Zhu overheard Dong speaking Chinese at a gay bar and struck up a conversation. Now as Dong makes plans for his next three to five years in Thailand, he’s toured several apartments with Zhu, looking for one he might like to buy.

In May, Zhu took Dong to a luxury complex in the central business district. Between several one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from $163,000 to $438,000, Dong paid close attention to the balconies, where he liked to stand and look out at the bustling city below. After a few hours, he decided he would keep looking.

Dong moved to Thailand in part because he was depressed at home. He had become a dance instructor — he had started learning ballroom dance at age 8 — but didn’t like teaching much. There was little in the way of activities or entertainment to occupy him, and no LGBTQ+ community.

“I’ve always felt that my hometown is an extremely boring place,” he said.

In Bangkok, he feels that more is possible, with an abundance of choice in food, work and nightlife.

“More options in boyfriends too,” Zhu added.

Dong agreed. He had heard that Bangkok was a hub for queer tourists, but hadn’t sought out the scene during his first visit a few years ago. Nonetheless, at the hotel pool he met another gay Chinese man who eventually introduced Dong to his first boyfriend.

“Thailand has brought me a lot of positive things,” Dong said. “So I trust that it will bring me more positive things in the future.”

1. Dong speaks with real estate agent broker Owen Zhu. About two-thirds of Zhu’s clients are, like Dong, Chinese nationals.

Thailand’s famed acceptance of LGBTQ+ visitors stems from the prominence of gay and transgender representation in the country’s popular media and culture since the 1950s.

Those depictions weren’t always positive, and locals still face discrimination and prescriptive gender roles. However, the country’s officials began to embrace its LGBTQ-centric image more strongly in the late 20th century in order to boost tourism and the economy.

Thailand also waived visa requirements for Chinese citizens last year, in a bid to revive a cornerstone of its tourism industry that was heavily curbed by the pandemic. Thailand’s Tourism Authority said it expects 7.3 million visitors from China this year, twice last year’s figures, but far short of the 11 million peak in 2019.

While the country does not collect tourist data on gender or sexual orientation, the authority’s deputy governor of tourism products and business, Apichai Chatchalermkit, told Thai media last year that the country should court “high-potential” LGBTQ+ tourists with tours, advertising and events specific to their interests, such as pride parades.

Eleven years ago, the authority adopted the slogan “Go Thai, be free,” to emphasize Thailand’s openness towards LGBTQ+ visitors.

For some Chinese visitors, both tourists and those with work and residence visas, that appeal has been heightened by an increasingly oppressive environment for LGBTQ+ people back home.

China has long had a conservative culture that stigmatizes homosexuality, though it was decriminalized in 1997. Gay rights advocates achieved minor successes in the decades that followed, such as workplace protections for LGBTQ+ employees and the ability to register same-sex partners as legal guardians.

But in the past five years, the tide has turned. Under President Xi Jinping, government pressure on activists has ramped up, shutting down gay pride events as well as LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in major cities.

LGBTQ+ resources and events “were like a counter-force to the examples of homophobia and transphobia that would pop up,” said Darius Longarino, senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School. “Even though the [current] crackdown hasn’t reached down to all kinds of expression, it’s changed the balance of forces.”

Adisak Wongwaikankha, who opened the gay bar Silver Sand Silom in October 2021, said that 70% of his patrons are foreigners, and about half of those come from China.

He estimates that percentage jumps as high as 90% during major holidays, such as Thai New Year, also known as Songkran Festival, in April, or the Pride Festival in June. Some recent visitors have been Chinese businessmen asking how to open or invest in gay entertainment venues like his.

On a Friday evening, Heath Yu, 38, strolled past Wongwaikankha’s establishment in the heart of Bangkok’s gay bar district, the windows adorned with neon lights and rainbow flags. Yu, who fell in love with Thailand on a vacation, quit his job at a Chinese TV station last year and moved here to pursue a doctorate in education and psychology.

“China is getting tighter on these LGBT, so more of them want to leave and come to Thailand,” Yu said. Feeling liberated in Thailand, Chinese tourists go a bit wild in Bangkok. he said. “As it gets more repressive there, it just gets more crazy here.”

Hawkers called out to Yu and his friend Summer Gao, 38, to come in from the heat for a drink.

Maybe later. Still, Gao quietly nudged Yu, alerting him to another pedestrian who seemed to be checking him out as they walked by.

Yu whipped his head around, and the two joked about chasing the man down. But Yu said he’s less preoccupied with finding a boyfriend than he is with finding work after his studies.

Yu was enticed by the idea of living in Bangkok ever since his first visit 10 years ago, when he encountered the Buddhist culture, the friendliness of locals and the affordability of food and rent.

And even though he rarely visits LGBTQ+-specific spaces, he feels more at ease in Bangkok than in his small hometown, where he has yet to come out to his parents.

He also grew tired of low pay and censorship at the TV station, and worries that the suppression of information could increase hostility towards queer people.

“I really don’t want to go back,” Yu said wistfully. “I’m doing everything I can to stay here.”

With family still in China expecting him back, Gao doesn’t have the option to stay after his six-month language program ends. But once he retires, he said, he’ll apply for a retirement visa to come back to Thailand.

The first time Yamato Sasuki visited Bangkok a decade ago, he discovered a life that was unimaginable growing up gay in Beijing. Acceptance. Freedom. He returned to the city in 2017, then bought an apartment three years later.

But Chinese citizens cannot naturalize, so the 35-year-old teacher has been considering a move to Japan, where he might eventually marry his Chinese partner.

“I would want to continue to live in Thailand, but it’s just not an immigrant country,” said Sasuki, who has gone by his Japanese name since he left China in 2015 to study in New Zealand.

In Japan this year, two courts ruled same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional, and Sasuki is hopeful that it may be legalized in his lifetime.

Thailand is also on the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage. The lower house of Parliament passed the bill in April, which still needs Senate approval and royal endorsement from the king. Currently, the only places in Asia that recognize same-sex marriage are Taiwan and Nepal.

Drawn by his first boyfriend, a Thai man he met online, Jeffrey Hu first visited Thailand in 2011. He lived and worked there for eight years after.

But in 2020, the 34-year-old freelance translator was ensnared by China’s strict pandemic controls on a visit to see his mother, and unable to leave the country. During that time, he met his current boyfriend Wilfred Wu, 28, in a Chinese LGBTQ+ group chat.

Last August, they moved to Bangkok — Wu’s first time setting foot in Thailand. Through friends they found an apartment near the Victory Monument memorial, close to a small park where they like to walk, exercise and feed stray cats and squirrels.

Hu said that a few years ago, he had hoped China would become more open-minded, not just to LGBTQ+ people but in all aspects. As Christians, he and Wu also worried about religious repression in China.

But the government’s draconian response to COVID-19 made clear it’s not ready to give up its authoritarian ways.

Even if same-sex marriage does become legal in Thailand, Hu and Wu would be ineligible as Chinese citizens. Though the lack of marriage and naturalization prospects means their time in Bangkok will be limited — they dream of someday moving to California — for now they can reflect on the freedom they have found here.

“It made me think, this is the society that I want,” Hu said. “Compared to China, I feel like Thailand gives me a better sense of identity and belonging.”

Special correspondent Yu-chen Lai in Taipei contributed to this report.

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Stephanie Yang is a China correspondent for the Los Angeles Times. Previously she was a reporter with the Wall Street Journal in New York, Beijing and Taipei, covering a broad range of topics including financial markets, tech companies, New York City and the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Born and raised in Iowa, she graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

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