Gajendra Prasad Sahoo with one of his creations. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 19: Little do sportspersons know that the awards they will hold in their hands on August 29 (National Sports Day) in New Delhi have been made by an artist from Bhubaneswar.

Gajendra Prasad Sahoo has made the trophies for the Arjuna Award, Dhyanchand Award, Dronacharya Award and the Tenzing Norgay Award. The order for the trophies came last year when the sports ministry chose his work from among various designers. “In view of the Commonwealth Games, the sports ministry had last year invited designers to redesign the sports awards. My designs were chosen from among 14 participants,” says Sahoo.

This year he has prepared 35 statuettes for the awards function. It took him about two months to complete the project.

Sahoo, a professor in the graphics department at the city-based B.K. College of Arts and Crafts, has to his credit the designs of national craft exhibitions and cultural programmes, including the Orissa tableau for the Republic Day parade, the annual Toshali National Craft Mela and the Konark festival.

“The Arjuna Award is given to the best sportspersons of the year to salute their commitment. So, I have designed the trophies to depict a scene from mythology in which Arjun uses the only arrow in his quiver to pierce the eye of a fish by looking at its reflection,” he says.

The concept behind the Dronacharya Award is interesting too. “This award is given to the best sports coach, who sets an example for others. I have tried to illustrate in the trophy how teacher Dronacharya holds disciple Arjun’s hand while training him in archery,” says Sahoo.

The trophies have been given an antique look. “Since the concept behind the trophy design is taken from ancient mythology, an antique effect looks better,” says the artist.