Bhubaneswar, Sept. 15 (UDN): Celebrated sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik has marked Nuakhai, one of Odisha’s most cherished agrarian festivals, with a vibrant sand sculpture on Puri beach.
Created against the backdrop of the Bay of Bengal, the artwork brings together key elements of western Odisha’s cultural and spiritual traditions. It features a woman dressed in traditional Sambalpuri attire offering prayers, along with a colourful representation of Maa Samaleswari surrounded by floral patterns.
A golden sheaf of freshly harvested paddy forms another prominent element of the sculpture, symbolising the festival’s deep connection with agriculture and the first harvest of the season.
The message “Nuakhai Juhar” has been prominently inscribed on the artwork, extending festive greetings to people across Odisha.
Nuakhai is celebrated with the offering of newly harvested rice, or nabanna, to the presiding deity, followed by prayers for prosperity, peace and well-being. The festival holds particular significance in western Odisha, where it is observed with traditional rituals and community celebrations.
Pattnaik, known for using sand art to highlight Odisha’s culture, festivals and social messages, has once again used his craft to showcase the state’s rich heritage.
The Nuakhai-themed sculpture has attracted attention from visitors and art enthusiasts at Puri beach, adding a creative visual dimension to the festive celebrations.
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