Cuttack: Internationally acclaimed sand artist Padmashri Sudarsan Pattanaik has sculpted a gigantic sculpture of a ‘boita’ (boat) using 90-100 tonnes of sand at the Lower Balijatra ground here to highlight the ancient maritime trade tradition of the Sadhabas of Kalinga (present day Odisha) on the occasion of Balijatra.
The sand sculpture was inaugurated by Odisha DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal on the eve of Kartik Purnima.
“I am short of words to describe the beauty of the sand art created by Pattanaik. I just can’t believe that such a beautiful thing can be created,” said Bansal after inaugurating the sand art.
“The sculpture is 68 ft in length and 42 ft in width and has 25,500 diyas (earthen wicker lamps) installed in it. 20 students from my school worked hard with me for three days to create it. We have used 90-100 tonnes of sand to create it. The sculpture is based on the unique Odia tradition of sailing boats with lamps in rivers and water bodies on Kartik Purnima,” said Sudarsan Pattanaik.
Pattnaik informed they have officially requested the ‘Limca Book of Records’ for creating a world record.
They have given us permission to make an attempt, he added.
