Art with a social cause

Forget for a flash all the brouhaha surrounding anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare’s fast in Delhi favouring the Jan Lokapal Bill.
For all, those who are in Bangalore and could not get a glimpse of such time changing and historical fast, they have a chance to witness the same.
And what could be a better day than Ganesha Chaturthi, when international sand artist from Orissa Sudarsan Pattnaik will be creating the same magic using his tool, tons and tons of sand.
On September 1, when the entire country will be immersed in worshipping Lord Ganesha in different means and ways, Orissa Puja Committee, Bangalore will host a unique Ganesha Puja on the occasion.
Sudarsan Pattnaik will be in the city on August 30 to make a sand replica of Gandhian Anna Hazare worshipping Lord Ganesha.
This will be inaugurated by Sudha Murthy, chairperson, Infosys Foundation at 6 pm on August 30.
Pattnaik, who is a maverick of sand art and known for coming up with new themes with his creation on each and every occasion is of the view that, nothing happens without the will of the almighty.
«No doubt, Anna Hazare is doing a great job to make this land free of corruption.
But, I personally believe that, the divine forces also do have a major role in initiating such movement,» Pattnaik said.
As per his theme, Hazare will worship Lord Ganesha to get the Jan Lokpal pa*sed in the parliament as soon as possible.
«Corruption is eating into our system.
Though, Anna Hazare is steering the movement in his way, we thought of doing something different to add to the same social cause.
That is why, we have invited Pattnaik, who is also an Oriya to this function.
We aim to create awareness among people by this,» said Nihar Ranjan Samantara, founder member and Advisor of the Orissa Puja Committee.
Sudarsan has participated in more than 45 sand sculptor championships at international level and has brought glory to our country.
He is the first Indian to bag the world championship title in 2008 at Berlin.
Recently, he has won a gold medal at Moscow.
He always highlights some burning social issues pertaining to India and the world through his art.
The Orissa Puja Committee has been a dedicated body representing around six lakh Oriyas living in Bangalore.
It came into existence in 1994 to help the needy with basic necessities in the area of health, education, religion and culture.
Most of the members and office bearers are mainly software professionals.
The committee has been organizing Ganesha Puja since last 17 years with great pomp and energy.

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