Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday released a coffee-table book on sand art published by internationally acclaimed sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik.The book 'Imaginations in Sand' is considered to be the first coffee-table book on sand art in India.The book which has 11 broad categories is priced at Rs.2,000. It contains photographs of the sand sculptures created by Pattnaik on several contemporary themes and issues over the years.Chief minister Patniak released the book at a simple ceremony in the presence of Odisha's Tourism and Culture Minister A.K. Panda, state tourism secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee and a number of other eminent personalities."I had decided to make the book so as to enable the people from all walks of life to readily have the delight of glancing through popular sand sculptures that were made by me in several countries," Sudarsan Pattnaik told IANS.
Pattnaik said when he was initially thinking about making the book, he had met the chief minister, who is also an author and art lover, for his suggestions and guidance."He not only guided, but also supported me in making this book. I am very happy that today he personally launched the book and for this I am delighted and thankful to him." he said.He said that he would donate 50 percent of the entire sale of the book on the inaugural day to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for Odisha's flood victims.Sudarsan Pattnaik has been conferred with the Padma Shri this year, 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.