Sudarshan's appeal in sand to help Phailin victims

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Sunday said he would sell some of his sand art on canvas to support victims of cyclone Phailin in Odisha.

The Oct 12 cyclone and subsequent floods claimed 44 lives besides affecting more than 10 million people in the state.

"As an artist, I want to support the cyclone and flood victims of our state through my art. Therefore, I need the support of my fans and art lovers," Pattnaik told IANS from his home town of Puri, 56 km from here.

He said: "The fund will be directly sent to the Chief Minister's Relief fund. The buyer will have to pay a cheque in favour of "Chief Minister's Relief Fund (Cyclone-2013)". I have also reduced the price to Rs.1 lakh for each 24" X 18" work."

Pattnaik has appealed to art connoisseurs through various social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. He said interested people can contact him at www.sandindia.com.

Pattnaik has participated in more than 50 international sand art competitions and festivals around the world and won many prizes.