Puri, Dec 25 : Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has sculpted around 100 colourful Santa Clauses in Orissa''s Puri beach on the occasion of Christmas.

Patnaik, along with his apprentices, created the sculpture in time for Christmas to deliver an environmental message to the world. The message, "Save Earth from Global Warming," has been carved into the sculpture itself.

"One hundred sand Santa Clauses are sitting here, and they want to give message to people on global warming. That''s what we have shown - ''Save Earth from Global Warming''. We have used 1,000 tonnes of sand, and I, along with my students, have created the sculpture here in three days and 65 hours. We wanted Santa Claus to give a message to the people who come here and celebrate Christmas, that more and more trees should be planted to save the earth from global warming," said Patnaik.

Patnaik, who has figured in the Limca Book of Records in the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 editions for his work, has also won several awards at various other festivals and competitions. (ANI)