Indian sand artist wins gold in Russia

The theme of this year's sand sculpture championship was 'World cinema' and the artists were required to give their vision of famous movies from famous directors with famous actors in their sand creations.

Pattnaik's 'Raj Kapoor, The Icon of Indo-Russian Friendship' sculpture was highly acclaimed by the visitors, who voted him for the top prize.
The artists from Iceland won the 'Jury Choice', and 'Sculptor Choice' prize in this championship.

The artists from 11 countries, including India, the US, Russia, UK, Italy, Island, Czech Republic, took part the championship held in Moscow for the second time.
Last year Pattnaik had won the Special Prize instituted by the Moscow's Kolomenskoye State Heritage Museum for his sand replica of Taj Mahal.

Pattnaik has earlier won the Berlin world championship for his sand sculpture spreading awareness of global warming.

Through his sand sculptures Pattnaik sends messages to the public by creating awareness campaigns. He also runs a sand art school at Puri Beach in Orissa.