By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik has created a replica of the Taj Mahal in Berlin hoping that publicity will help in the inclusion of the 17th century monument in the new list of the Seven Wonders of the World.
"I have created the sand sculpture of the Taj at Berlin International Sand Sculpture Championship, which began on June 14, because it still needs votes for its inclusion," Patnaik told IANS over the phone from Berlin.
"The replica that I have created here is 15 feet high. Now I am working to create an image of Mughal emperor Shahjahan near it before the end of the Championship on June 21.
"The theme of the festival is paradise. When I was selected last month to participate in this festival for the fourth time in a row, I decided to build a replica of this old monument with a hope that it will draw the attention of global audiences and get adequate votes to become the number one wonder of the world.
"Taj is the symbol of love and if the Paradise ever exists this is at the Taj," said Patnaik.
Patnaik had built replicas of the Taj last year at several places abroad and in India including one in Agra in Uttar Pradesh, which is the home of the real Taj Mahal that was built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Patnaik is the only artist representing India in the Berlin event. At least 15 artists from about 10 countries including Holland, Italy, Russia, Denmark, Ukren, Bulgaria and Germany are competing in the championship.
"I don't know if the sculpture created by me will win the championship or not but I am sure that it will create awareness and help the monument get votes from global audiences," said the 30-year-old artist who has won various awards at all the Berlin sand sculpture championships that he has participated in.
In 2005, his sculpture on world peace showing Mahatma Gandhi with three monkeys was adjudged the best sculpture of the event.
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.