sand-art-in-odisha

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 1st December to 5th 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.