Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has received the prestigious Italian Golden Sand Art Award 2019 for his contribution in sand art.
Pattnaik received the award from Vito Maraschio, president of Promuovi International Scorrano Sand Nativity, at a ceremony in Rome on Friday evening.
He has become the first Indian to be conferred the Italian Golden Sand Art Award 2019.
The Padma Shri awardee artist represented India at the International Scorrano Sand Nativity festival held in Lecce from November 13-17, 2019.
The Puri-born artist has participated in more than 60 international sand art festivals and championships around the world and brought laurels to the country winning many prizes.
The district administration congratulated the artist for making Puri and Odisha proud at the International level.