Sudarsan Pattnaik
Sudarsan Pattnaik (born 15 April 1977) is an Indian Sand Artist from Puri, Odisha. In 2014, Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his amazing and wonderful sea shore sand arts. Early life and background. Sudarsan Pattnaik was born in a poor family in Marchikote Lane, Puri district, Odisha, in 1977. Sudarshan Pattnaik was creative from very young age. In February 2017, he broke the Guinness world record for making world's largest sand castle in Puri beach, Odisha which was then broken by Skulptura Projects GmbH in Binz , Germany in June 2019. Career. Sudarsan has represented India in 60 international sand sculpture championships and festivals all around the world and won 27 championship prizes for the country. He was among the 15 top sand artists selected from across the world to participate in the 2019 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2016 & 2017, he has won gold medal in Russia and in 2016, he got People's Choice Prize in Bulgaria. In 2013, he won 1st prize (Gold Medal) at Saint Petersburg in 12th International Sand Sculpture Competition at Russia, Danish Grand Prizes at  International Sand Competition Championship, Denmark and won Moscow Museum Prize at Russia. In 2011, he won 1st Prize and Public Prize at Denmark and also won Double Gold Medal at Solo International Sand Art Contest at Mervala in 2012. In 2010, he won the gold medal for People's Choice Award at 3rd Moscow World Sand Sculpture Championship. He also won Three Medals in North American Solo Sand Sculpture Championship, People's Choice Prize in Canada and Moscow, Russia. In 2009 he won the Korea Sand Sculpture Award. In 2008, he won the World Champion Title at USF World Sand  Sculpture Championship, Berlin. Apart from this he is the 5 times winner of People's Choice Award at Germany, He has also bagged various national award like National Youth Award (2004–05), National Tourism Award (2005–06), People of the Year Award by Limca Book in 2009 and Young Indian Leadership Award by CNN IBN in 2010; He has been felicitated by Her Excellency President of India Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil during her visit to Puri. His art performance was also appreciated by honorable dignitaries, such as the President of India, the Prime minister of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha and  the Governor of State. He also got Honorary Doctorate from Berhampur University, Odisha in 2012, following by this year he set a Guinness World Record for creating World's Tallest Sand Castle. In 2014 he was honoured Padma Shri By Govt of India. Apart from these, he is creating social awareness in national and international arena on world peace, global warming, terrorism, HIV AIDS, to save endangered wildlife species through his sand art for which he is always covered in global media. His works on the promotion of Indian Tourism in Global Forum through his talent of art in different  countries like Belgium, United States, the Netherlands, London etc. is highly recommendable.