Puttur: Five students of Varnakuteera Art Education Institute at Kallare in Puttur have earned recognition in the Asian Golden Book of World Records for their sand art performances, including a 30-hour blindfolded feat.
Three Class 6 students created sand art continuously for 30 hours while blindfolded, while two Class 3 students completed an 18-hour sand art performance without covering their eyes. Eight playback singers who supported the performances were also recognised for their contribution to the record-setting event.
Three students complete 30-hour blindfolded performance
The main achievement involved Class 6 students Buvika R.K., Anshi Santhosh Kumar and Vishma Ajjikallu.
The three students created sand art continuously for 30 hours while blindfolded. Their performance was conducted as part of an organised record attempt and was observed in the presence of Dr Manish Vaishnoi, Asia head of the Asian Golden Book of World Records.
The students were later presented with certificates recognising their achievement.
The feat required the young participants to continue creating sand art for an extended period while relying on their familiarity with the technique and their ability to work without visual guidance.
Two Class 3 students complete 18-hour feat
Class 3 students Himanshu Krishna and Sohan K.S. also participated in the record-setting programme.
Unlike the Class 6 students, the two performed their sand art with their eyes open and continued for 18 hours.
Their participation added another category to the event, with students from different age groups demonstrating their skills through extended sand art performances.
The certificates presented following the performances recognised the students for their participation in the record attempt.
Eight playback singers recognised
Music formed an important part of the event, with eight playback singers providing support during the performances.
The singers and coordinators recognised for their contribution included Varnakuteera coordinator Praveen Varnakuteera, institute president Geethalakshmi Kedimaru, Anusha Ammannaya, Ravi Puttur, Shiva Kumar Bettampady, Prasanna P., Greeshma Ekatadaka and Gautham Krishna Nekkre.
They were recognised as Best Coordinators by the Golden Book of World Records for supporting the students during the performances.
The continuous musical accompaniment was part of the format of the event and helped sustain the programme through its extended duration.
Record attempt held on September 26
The record-setting programme was inaugurated on September 26 by B.V. Narayana Bhat.
The event was organised at Varnakuteera Art Education Institute in Kallare, Puttur. Representatives associated with the Asian Golden Book of World Records were present to observe the performances.
The achievement followed preparations announced earlier in September for a 30-hour blindfolded sand art challenge involving three Class 6 students. At that stage, organisers had said the students would attempt to create hundreds of sand art designs with continuous musical accompaniment.
The final performance subsequently resulted in recognition for the five students.
Achievement builds on earlier Varnakuteera record
The latest feat follows an earlier record achieved by another student of the same institution.
Varnakuteera student Shamika M.K. had created around 300 sand art designs continuously for 24 hours while blindfolded, accompanied by playback singing. The performance was recorded in the Asian Book of Records.
The Golden Book of World Records separately lists Shamika M.K. for the longest blindfolded sand art-making marathon, achieved during a 24-hour performance on December 6 and 7, 2025. The record listing identifies Varnakuteera Kala Shikshana Samsthe as the organiser.
The latest 30-hour performance extends the institution’s continuing efforts to showcase sand art through long-duration challenges involving young students.
Local dignitaries congratulate students
Several local representatives and community members attended the event and congratulated the students for their achievement.
Mahalingeshwara Temple Management Committee president Eshwar Bhat Panjigudde, Vijay Samrat founder Sahaj Rai Balajje, Cooperative Federation state committee member and Dakshina Kannada District Central Cooperative Bank director Shashikumar Rai Balyottu, Puthila Parivar Seva Trust founder Arun Kumar Puthila and civil engineer Hariprasad Rai were among those present.
Their presence added local recognition to the students’ achievement and the institution’s efforts in promoting creative arts among schoolchildren.
Sand art gains recognition among young performers
Sand art involves creating designs and images using sand as the primary medium and requires control, concentration and familiarity with the material.
Performing the art continuously for several hours presents additional physical and creative challenges. A blindfolded performance requires participants to rely particularly on memory, touch and established techniques rather than direct visual observation.
For the Varnakuteera students, the record attempt also provided an opportunity to demonstrate their skills before representatives of a record organisation.
The participation of both younger and older students showed how the institution has incorporated creative challenges into its art education activities.
Puttur students add to institution’s record achievements
The latest recognition places five more Varnakuteera students in the record books following the earlier achievement of Shamika M.K.
The 30-hour blindfolded performance by Buvika, Anshi and Vishma and the 18-hour performance by Himanshu and Sohan have brought wider attention to the institution’s sand art activities.
The recognition of the eight supporting singers also highlights the collaborative nature of the programme, which combined visual art with continuous musical accompaniment.
Conclusion
The five students of Varnakuteera Art Education Institute in Puttur have earned recognition in the Asian Golden Book of World Records through extended sand art performances. Three Class 6 students created sand art blindfolded for 30 hours, while two Class 3 students completed an 18-hour performance with their eyes open.
The achievement builds on the institute’s earlier record involving student Shamika M.K. and highlights the growing participation of young students from Puttur in creative and record-setting activities.