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The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), in collaboration with Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik and other leading global sand artists, has launched two new online courses on the SWAYAM platform titled “Introduction to Sand Art” and “Principles and Formats of Sand Art.”
These courses are a major step in digitizing India’s cultural heritage and making the traditional craft of sand sculpture accessible to learners all around the world. Drawing on Pattnaik’s international expertise and artistic excellence, the curriculum aims to foster creativity and promote Indian visual arts on a global scale.
The official launch took place at IGNOU Headquarters in New Delhi, inaugurated by Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor (I/C), along with associate professors and academic coordinators.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Kanjilal stated, “This initiative brings a unique and ancient Indian art form into the fold of modern digital education, in line with the vision of NEP 2020.” It is an important step toward making indigenous knowledge systems available globally.”
Sudarsan Pattnaik, addressing the audience, stated, “It has long been my dream for sand art to be recognized as a global emblem of Indian ingenuity and cleanliness. Thanks to IGNOU and SWAYAM, this aspiration has become a reality.”
Each course consists of video lectures, live demonstrations, and interactive tasks. Learners who successfully complete the course will receive a certificate. The Introduction to Sand Art course starts with the fundamentals — materials, techniques, and creative notions — and then incorporates storytelling aspects steeped in Indian cultural history.
