The Award Winning Sand Sculptor

Each Summer, hundreds of kids and adults participate in sand sculpture events all over the world. However, for most of them it is merely a hobby. Not for Sudarsan Pattnaik though - He takes it so seriously, that he has even opened a school called Sand India, where he and his team teach students how to create stunning sand sculptures.

Sudarsan's sand-sculpting career began when he was just a little boy. Growing up, he would head to the local beach near his hometown in Puri, Orissa and spend his spare time, carving out the sand. Locals and tourists visiting the beach, soon started to stop and praise his work.

Encouraged, the little boy started to work on his masterpieces every morning and evening, spending almost three hours each day.

All his hard work and creativity paid off as he started to earn accolades and recognition from all over the world.

Today, Sudarsan is a professional sand sculptor, who has competed and won several awards, both local and international. His most recent award was won in Moscow for his creation of the iconic Taj Mahal, complete with Shah Jahan, the king who built it, and his wife Mumtaz, whose tomb it is.

In an attempt to educate people about current issues, Sudarsan's sculptures are very topical, and range from global warming to world peace to even swine flu.

US president Barack Obama has been the inspiration for several of the young artist's creations - his most recent one created earlier this week, in honor of Mr. Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Award.

Sudarsan says that his objective in life is to change people's perception about Sand Art, especially in India, where it is largely considered a hobby. Check out his website at www.sandindia.com to see more of his amazing creations.

sources: sandindia.com, telegragh.co.uk, ilovemycountryindia.blogspot.com