International Sand Art Festival begins in Puri

The ninth the International Sand Art Festival has begun at the Chandrabhaga Beach of Konark in Odisha’s Puri district with adherence to government prescribed Covid protocols. About 70 artists from across the country are set to take part in the much-awaited festival that provides a platform for both national and international sand artists to showcase their talent.  This year, however, international artists will not be participating due to the ongoing global pandemic. 

Sudarsan Pattnaik, world-renowned sand artist and Padmashree Awardee, has been appointed as Chief Curator of the festival.Artists create sculptures based on relevant themes like environment, culture and national and international affairs. This year, the main themes of the sculptures are ‘Environment’ and ‘Covid-19’. Odisha is the only state in the country that provides a national and international platform for this art form. Every year, the festival is celebrated with great fervour in the first week of December as part of the Konark Dance Festival that is organised during the same time.