PM Modi's 76th birthday: Sand art, animation created in Puri by Manas Kumar Sahu
Synopsis
On PM Modi's 76th birthday, international sand artist Manas Kumar Sahu and students of the Sudarshan Sand Art Institute in Puri created a sand-art animation capturing 25 years of Modi's political journey — from Make in India and the Ram Temple to Operation Sindoor — completing the artwork in just one hour.
Key Takeaways
International sand artist Manas Kumar Sahu created a special birthday tribute artwork at his studio in Puri on 17 September 2026 .
Students of the Sudarshan Sand Art Institute also crafted a sand-art animation dedicated to PM Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday .
The artwork depicts milestones including Make in India , the Ram Temple , Article 370 , CAA , GST , BRICS , Chandrayaan , and Operation Sindoor .
Sahu drew a symbolic connection between the Prime Minister's birthday and Vishwakarma Puja , both falling on the same date.
The complete sand artwork took approximately one hour to create.
International sand artist Manas Kumar Sahu crafted a special artwork at his studio in Puri, Odisha, on 17 September 2026 to mark the 76th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Students of the Sudarshan Sand Art Institute also produced a sand-art animation dedicated to the Prime Minister, depicting milestones from his nearly 25-year political career.
What the artwork captures
Sahu said the sand animation was designed to illustrate different dimensions of the Prime Minister's political journey and his contributions to the country. The artwork references major policy and national events associated with Modi's tenure, including Make in India, the Ram Temple consecration, the abrogation of Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). India's participation in BRICS and ISRO's Chandrayaan mission also feature, as does Operation Sindoor.
Vishwakarma Puja connection
Sahu drew a symbolic parallel between the Prime Minister's birthday and Vishwakarma Puja, which falls on the same day. He connected Lord Vishwakarma — the divine architect associated with construction and craftsmanship — to the theme of nation-building, and framed Modi's work in that context. According to the artist, the entire sand artwork took approximately one hour to complete.
Students join the tribute
Students at the Sudarshan Sand Art Institute independently prepared a pictorial artwork of the Prime Minister to convey birthday greetings. One student described the sand animation and artwork as part of a special sand art presentation organised specifically to mark the occasion. Through their creations, artists and students depicted various episodes from the Prime Minister's public life.
National and global birthday wishes
The tributes from Puri came as Prime Minister Modi received greetings on his 76th birthday from across India and from global leaders, all wishing him good health. The sand art tribute in Puri added a distinctive creative dimension to the nationwide celebrations.
Point of View
But this one stands out for its editorial ambition — compressing 25 years of a Prime Minister's record into a single-hour artwork. The selection of episodes, from Article 370 and CAA to Operation Sindoor, reflects how Modi's tenure is being framed by supporters: as a series of decisive, historic actions. The Vishwakarma Puja parallel is a soft piece of political symbolism that equates governance with sacred craftsmanship. What this coverage does not tell us is whether the artwork attracted significant public footfall or remained largely a studio production — a distinction that matters for assessing its cultural impact beyond the symbolic.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the sand art tribute for PM Modi's birthday in Puri?
International sand artist Manas Kumar Sahu created the sand artwork at his studio in Puri on 17 September 2026. Students of the Sudarshan Sand Art Institute separately created a sand-art animation for the same occasion.
What does the sand art animation depict?
The animation illustrates key moments from PM Modi's nearly 25-year political career, including Make in India, the Ram Temple, Article 370, CAA, GST, BRICS, the Chandrayaan mission, and Operation Sindoor.
Why is PM Modi's birthday connected to Vishwakarma Puja?
PM Modi's birthday on 17 September coincides with Vishwakarma Puja. Artist Manas Kumar Sahu drew a symbolic parallel, linking Lord Vishwakarma's association with construction and craftsmanship to the theme of nation-building.
How long did it take to create the sand artwork?
According to artist Manas Kumar Sahu, it took approximately one hour to complete the special sand artwork dedicated to PM Modi's 76th birthday.
How old is PM Modi turning in 2026?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 76 on 17 September 2026. He has been receiving birthday greetings from across India and from global leaders on the occasion.
