IGNOU launches online sand art courses with Sudarsan
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Bhubaneswar: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Tuesday launched two online courses on sand art through the SWAYAM platform. The initiative is a collaboration with Padma Shri awardee and internationally-acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik.
The two courses, titled 'Introduction to Sand Art' and 'Principles and Formats of Sand Art', were designed and delivered by Pattnaik himself, bringing his decades of experience and global acclaim in sand sculpting into a structured online format. Available to learners of all age groups and backgrounds, the courses aim to nurture creativity, promote Indian art on a global scale, and provide accessible, skill-based education.
Vice-chancellor of IGNOU Prof Uma Kanjilal, said, "This collaboration embodies the vision of NEP-2020 to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems and art forms into mainstream education. Through SWAYAM, we are proud to bring sand art to the fingertips of learners across the country and the world. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative to offer courses on sand art." The course was launched at the IGNOU headquarters in New Delhi.
Each course consists of video lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on assignments. Learners will receive certificates upon successful completion. The introductory course focuses on basic tools, techniques, and creative expression, while the advanced course explores large-scale sand sculptures, thematic installations, and the cultural narratives behind this unique art form.
Speaking at the occasion, Sudarsan Pattnaik said, "It is my dream to make sand art a global symbol of Indian creativity. With IGNOU and SWAYAM, we are now empowering thousands to learn this art from anywhere. This is not just a course but a celebration of India's heritage and storytelling through sand. I thank the Ministry of Education and IGNOU for making Sand Art a vocational and skill-based education form."
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