By IANS
Puri (Orissa) : Sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik Sunday said he will create a replica of Taj Mahal at Berlin International Sand Sculpture Championship – a festival to be held from June 14-21.
Patnaik, who has been selected to participate in this year's festival for the fourth time in a row, claimed he would create a 20 feet high replica of the 17th century monument built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal at Agra in Uttar Pradesh.
Patnaik is the only artist representing India in this event. Artists from about 10 countries including Holland, Italy, Russia, Denmark, Ukren, Bulgaria and Germany are participating in this event.
"The theme of this year's festival is 'The Paradise'," Patnaik told IANS.
"Taj is the symbol of love and if the Paradise ever exists this is at Taj.
"I will also carve the face of Sahajan and Mumtaz near the Taj in the festival venue," he said.
Patnaik, 30, has won various awards in all Berlin fest he has participated in.
In 2005, his sculpture on world peace showing Mahatma Gandhi with three monkeys was adjudged the winner.
Patnaik, who has participated in more than 32 international sand sculpture competitions, runs an art school, called Golden Sand Art Institute, in his hometown of Puri in Orissa.