Internationally acclaimed sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik from Orissa is representing India at the annual Berlin International Sand Sculpture competition, being held from June 8 to 17.

The sand artist, who last year bagged the first prize at the Berlin event for his sculpture on Mahatma Gandhi with three monkeys, aims at focusing on world peace and health awareness this time, keeping in view the football World Cup, in Germany.

Sudarshan said his sculptures in the event, in which renowned sand sculptors of ten countries will participate will be on world peace, friendship, and the dangers of drug addiction.

He said the World Cup will provide him an ideal opportunity to spread health awareness and of the dangers of drug addiction besides the positive aspects of world peace and friendship, through his sculptures.

Sudarshan is planning to create a 20 feet high sand sculpture on his theme. The competition is being held at Zitty Park near the Parliament in Berlin and sand sculptures from the US, UK, Germany, Morocco, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, Denmark and Ireland will be displayed.

The famed Indian sand artist has so far participated in more than 28 international sand sculpture championships across the world and won many awards for the country.

His sand sculpture on Black Taj Mahal earned him accolades all over the world. Through his art he helped the tsunami victims in India, save the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles and spread awareness of the dangers of HIV-AIDS and polio.

- UNI

Photograph: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images