Durga Puja celebrations often inspire artists to explore new ways of expressing their creativity. This year, sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a distinctive installation at Puri Beach in Odisha, using an unusual combination of materials to depict Maa Durga.
32 varieties of fruits and vegetables used
The 10-foot-tall sculpture was made using around eight tonnes of sand, along with 32 varieties of fruits and vegetables. These include apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, cucumbers, lemons, okra, bitter gourd, beans and carrots. The installation features 22 varieties of vegetables and 10 varieties of fruits, along with a Happy Durga Puja message.
Sudarsan Pattnaik shares artwork on X
Pattnaik posted a video of the installation on X and shared his wishes for the festive occasion. He wrote, “I have created a sand art installation at Puri Beach, Odisha, using 32 varieties of fruits and vegetables 22 vegetables and 10 fruits. May Maa Durga bless everyone with strength, happiness, peace, and prosperity.”
Installation completed in five hours
The sculpture took five hours to create, with students from Pattnaik’s Sand Art Institute also participating in the work, according to ANI.The installation brings together sand art and fresh produce in a creative tribute to Maa Durga for Durga Puja.Disclaimer: This article is based on information the artist shared on social media and a report by ANI. The Times of India has not independently verified the information.Thumb image: X