Bhubaneswar: Sudarsan Pattnaik, an Orissa based sand artist has been declared as the winner of the people’s choice award at the world championship held in Berlin last month for his 15-feet-high image of Lord Buddha.

Pattnaik, who hails from Orissa’s beach city of Puri, is the first Indian to win the contest. Last year, he bagged won the jury prize in the same contest in Berlin for his sculpture that showed the famous polar bear Knut, which lives in the Berlin Zoo.

Speaking to the media, Pattnaik said, “The people’s choice award that I have won this time is the most prestigious award which is decided on the basis of votes given by the audience.”

He added, “The award was announced on July 13 and the producer of the festival Anja Smolle has formally informed me by email. At least 12 artists from 12 countries participated in this competition.”

His sculpture got 1,383 votes, the second prize went to Gianni Schiumarini (Italy) with 439 votes, he said.

Pattnaik created the image of a sitting Buddha for the 2nd United Sand Festival (USF) World Solo Sand Sculpture Championship 2009 held June 4-11 in the German capital. The sculpture was on display from June 11-12.