Bhubaneswar, July 13 (IANS) Orissa based sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik was Monday announced as the winner of the people’s choice award at the world championship held in Berlin last month for his 15-feet-high image of Lord Buddha.
Pattnaik, who hails from Orissa’s beach city of Puri, 56 km from here is the first Indian to win the contest.

Last year he had won the jury prize in the same contest in Berlin for his sculpture that showed the famous polar bear Knut, which lives in the Berlin Zoo.

“The people’s choice award that I have won this time is the most prestigious award which is decided on the basis of votes given by the audience,” Pattnaik told IANS over phone from his home.

“The award was announced today (Monday) and the producer of the festival Anja Smolle has formally informed me by email,” he said.

“At least 12 artists from 12 countries participated in this competition,” he said.

While his sculpture got 1,383 votes, the second prize went to Gianni Schiumarini (Italy) with 439 votes, he said.

Pattnaik created the image of a sitting Buddha for the 2nd United Sand Festival (USF) World Solo Sand Sculpture Championship 2009 held June 4-11 in the German capital. The sculpture was on display from June 11-12.

Pattnaik has participated in more than 39 international sand sculpture festivals and competitions and won several prizes.

Pattnaik, who figured in the Limca Book of Records in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 editions for his work, will also find place in the 2009 edition for winning the United Sand Festivals (USF) World Double Championship held June 5.