Children dressed as Santa Claus play near a sand sculpture made by Sudarsan Pattnaik. (File photo)
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been invited by the Indian embassy in Paris to create a sand sculpture on Cannes' beaches during the International Film Festival there between May 14 and May 25.
"I am very happy to get this invitation. I am excited to create a sculpture on Indian cinema," Pattnaik told IANS.
Mr Pattnaik's student Bulu Mohanty will assist him in the work.
"Air India will be sponsoring the international passages and the Indian tourism department will bear the hospitality cost of you and your assistant during your stay in France," read the Indian embassy's invite.
Mr Pattnaik, a native of Odisha's Puri town, has been conferred this year with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India. He has participated in more than 50 international sand sculpture championships and festivals across the world and has won many prizes.