He Wants A Free Art School For Poor Children. First, Meet The Man Behind 12 World Records

Despite global recognition, Madhurendra Kumar says he has not drifted from rural Bihar. His stated dream is a free Sand Art Academy for children from economically weaker backgrounds — so that money never blocks talent the way it once nearly blocked his. He already holds 12 world records.

Why A Free Academy Matters To Him

• He grew up in a financially struggling farming family in East Champaran
• He worked multiple jobs to stay in school and college
• He spent nearly six months sleeping in a college corridor for lack of hostel money
• He wants aspiring artists to find opportunities he once struggled to find

Background

Born on 5 September 1994 in Barwakala Village, Ghorasahan Block, near the India–Nepal border, with ancestral ties to Bijbani in Bankatwa Block. Parents: Shivkumar Sah (farmer) and Gena Devi (homemaker).

Early work included:

• Grazing goats from the age of five
• Selling curd door-to-door
• Weaving bamboo baskets
• Working in hotels and painting houses
• Selling vegetables and snacks at village fairs
• Sleeping in a college corridor for nearly six months because he could not afford a hostel room

Career Milestones

• Childhood: drawing birds and animals by age three; grandfather Ramchandra Sah predicted greatness
• December 2005: Bathinda sculpture ‘Sarvadharm Ki Shahadat Dedicated to the Nation’ (~40 ft high, 100 ft long, ~200 tons of sand)
• Encouragement from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam after the Bathinda work



• BFA/MFA in Sculpture (MGKV, Varanasi) and Painting credentials from Prachin Kala Kendra, Chandigarh
• Honorary Doctorate (2026) from AIU, Hollywood, USA

World Records

He holds 12 world records. Some of them include:

• London Book of World Records (2025) for creating more than 5,000 unique sand sculptures promoting positive social awareness, an achievement also honoured at the British Parliament
• Asian Book of World Records (2025) for creating 50 unique sand sculptures depicting the mythological Gaj-Graah battle during the Sonpur Fair
• UN Book of World Records (2026) for producing 50 sand sculptures illustrating the complete life journey of Lord Buddha from birth to Mahaparinirvana
• USA Book of World Records (2026) for creating more than 21,000 unique leaf artworks
• Forbes Book of World Records (2026) for producing more than 100 awareness-driven sand sculptures highlighting public welfare and social development

Art With A Social Brief

His artworks consistently highlight themes such as:

• Environmental conservation and climate change
• Plastic pollution and sustainable living
• Anti-drug awareness
• Water conservation
• Women’s empowerment
• World peace
• Cultural heritage
• Historical figures including Lord Buddha, Mahavira and Mahatma Gandhi

Recognition

He has represented India at more than 50 international sand art festivals across 25-plus countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

International awards:

• Best Sand Sculpture Artist of the Year (Bhutan)
• Indo-Nepal International Golden Sand Master Award
• Global Peace Ambassador Award (Sri Lanka)
• Honorary Doctorate (2026) from America International University (AIU), Hollywood, USA

Major national awards:

• Indian Lalit Kala Academy Award (2014)
• Raja Ravi Varma National Award (2020)
• Tilka Manjhi National Award (2023)
• Bharat Gaurav Samman (2025)
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Award (2025)
• National Kala Ratna Award (2026)

Campaign Work

• Election Commission of India during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections and the 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, for voter awareness
• Government of India for the Swachh Survekshan 2021–22 campaign
• COMFED (Sudha Dairy) during the National Farmers’ Fair 2024, for farmer empowerment and rural development

Two Goals He Names Openly

• Open a free Sand Art Academy for underprivileged children
• Promote India’s cultural heritage by combining 3D Sand Art with Leaf Art

Before the academy exists as a building, the case for it already exists in his biography: 12 world records built by someone who once could not afford a hostel bed.

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