Pti

Bhubaneswar: Having traversed an arduous path from a child labour to an acclaimed sand sculptor, Sudarsan Pattnaik laments lack of support for artists and wants government and corporates to encourage and promote those pursuing creative pursuits.

"Our country is home to many artists who are endowed with extraordinary talents but unfortunately most of them fail to hone their skills in the absence of necessary support," said Sudarsan, who recently won the gold medal at the ninth Moscow Sand Sculpture Championship.

"It will be of immense help to art and artists if the government as well as corporate houses take concrete steps to encourage and promote artists as they have been doing in case of sportspersons," said the artist, who was felicitated by Odisha Lalit Kala Academy after his return from the Russian capital.

Stating that artists require financial support and employment opportunities, Sudarsan said steps should also be taken to provide the artists with proper platform to enable them to galvanise their skills and talent.

Referring to sand sculpture, the 39-year-old artist said steps should be taken to impart teaching in sand art to students in educational institutions, including schools and colleges.

Voicing his willingness to extend help in grooming and training budding artists, Sudarsan said Odisha is endowed with enough spots for honing sand art.

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