Artist Ajay Shankar Mahto created a sand sculpture on the banks of Damodar in Bokaro district to mark the International Olympic Day.

Sand sculptures mady by 43-year-old Mahto, a resident of Shilfor Suyadih village in Chandankiyari block of Bokaro district, focuses on contemporary global issues.

The Olympic day sculpture features the five Olympic rings and a globe, flanked by images of different sporting disciplines that form part of the games. #Stay strong, #Stay active, #Stay healthy forms Mahto’s message.

“I create sculptures on various occasions and today it was intended to acknowledge the spirit of the Olympics,” Mahto told The Telegraph Online over the phone from his village.

“I intend to share messages with society through my work – be it the World Environment Day, Teacher’s Day, Independence Day and Republic Day,” he added.

The artist has also made sculptures of M.S. Dhoni, Swami Vivekananda, Gautam Buddha and Kargil heroes. Mahto also came up with a sculpture with a message on how to protect oneself from coronavirus.

Mahto has a diploma in fine arts from Prachin Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, has been creating innovative sand sculptures for over a decade now. He is the only sand artist in Jharkhand.

“It took me about five hours to come up with the 6 ft sculpture on International Olympic Day. I completed the sculpture on Monday. The sand on the seashores of Puri was of better quality as compared to the ones on the banks of Damodar river. The quality of the sand here is generally coarse and I often have to look for space where the river bends as the sand there is comparatively of better quality to work with,” he explained.

Asked if he has met famous sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik from Puri, he said, “Yes, I have met him (Patnaik) and admire his art as well.” Mahto teaches fine arts at a private institute near Mahuda and also works as a freelance painter.

He was made an icon by the Bokaro district administration during the last parliamentary elections.

“I want to make society aware through my art about issues taking place in the world. I make sand sculptures of personalities to inspire people. It’s a modest effort from my side,” Mahto remarked.