Mubarak’s sand sculpture created in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR - Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Saturday etched the face of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on sand at Puri beach to express his concern over the recent developments in that country.

Pattnaik created the seven feet high image at his home town of Puri, about 56 kms from here, that bears messages such as ‘Don’t gag media’ and ‘Stop violence in Egypt’.

As an artist, I have been performing worldwide and this is the best way for me to express concern, Pattnaik told IANS.

The artist, who has won several global competitions, said he used five tonnes of sand and took seven hours to create the sculpture.

At least 13 people have been killed and 1,000 injured in clashes over the past two days between anti-government protesters and President Hosni Mubarak supporters in Egypt.

Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for 30 years, is facing intense pressure to quit as thousands of protestors have gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square to demand his ouster.