The first British Sand Master Award was presented during the recently held Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival in Weymouth.

After receiving the award, Sudarsan Pattnaik wrote on X: "I am honored to be the first Indian artist to receive the ‘Fred Darrington' British Sand Master Award at Sand World 2025, a prestigious international sand art festival in Weymouth, UK. This recognition is a testament to my 10-foot sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha, symbolizing the universal message of 'World Peace'."

On the occasion, Pattnaik created a 10-foot-high sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha with the message of spreading 'World Peace'.

Mayor of Weymouth, Jon Orell, presented the award to the Indian artist.

Pattnaik is a Padma Shri award winner.

Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata, congratulated the Indian artist and wrote on X: "Huge congratulations @sudarsansand from @swarnasatpathy & myself and indeed all the team @UKinKolkata."

"No trip to Odisha is complete without a visit to see your work on Puri beach," he said.

The British High Commission also wished the Indian artist and posted on X: "Congratulations to world-renowned sand artist, @sudarsansand, on being awarded the Fred Darrington Sand Master Award at #SandWorld2025 in the UK."