New Delhi: In a landmark initiative to blend India’s rich cultural heritage with digital education, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) collaborated with internationally renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik to launch two online courses on sand art.

The courses, titled “Introduction to Sand Art” and “Principles and Formats of Sand Art,” have been specially curated and delivered by Pattnaik. Designed for learners of all age groups and backgrounds, the courses aim to foster creativity, promote Indian visual arts globally, and provide a structured learning path in the field of sand art.

The launch event was held at IGNOU headquarters in New Delhi, in the presence of Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor (in-charge) of IGNOU, along with other university officials and dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Kanjilal said, “This collaboration embodies the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by integrating Indian knowledge systems and traditional art forms into mainstream education. Through the SWAYAM platform, we are proud to bring the unique art of sand sculpting to learners across India and the world. This is the first initiative of its kind to offer formal courses in sand art.”

Expressing his excitement, Sudarsan Pattnaik said, “It has been my lifelong dream to make sand art a global symbol of Indian creativity. With IGNOU and SWAYAM, we’re empowering thousands to learn this art form from anywhere in the world. This is more than just a course—it’s a celebration of India’s heritage and storytelling through sand. I thank the Ministry of Education and IGNOU for turning this dream into a reality and elevating sand art as a vocational and skill-based educational offering.”

Both courses include video lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on assignments, and offer certificates upon successful completion. The Introduction course covers the basics—tools, techniques, and creative expression—while the Principles and Formats course delves into advanced concepts such as large-scale sculptures, thematic compositions, and the cultural narratives behind sand art.

These courses are available on the SWAYAM platform and aim to make the traditional art form accessible to a global audience.