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Sand Art Portraits and Creative Showcases

byManisha SwarnkarTravels to venues across Delhi NCRStarts from45,000 Per Performance (10-12 Mins)View full gallery

Beyond my stage performances, this gallery captures the variety of my work. From detailed sand portraits to candid moments from my artistic journey, these pieces reflect my passion for telling stories through sand.

A happy moment captured with my finished sand art portrait. Creating these personalized pieces for celebrations is always a heartwarming experience.

A candid shot of me creating a portrait during the live sand art show for Jay Shree Tea. Every performance is a deep dive into the client's history and achievements.

Here I am, focused on the details of a portrait for the Jay Shree Tea event. It's always a joy when guests come up to watch the process up close.

A mandatory picture at the beautiful IIT Roorkee campus when Saurabh and I came to perform at TEDx. It brought back nostalgic memories of my time at IIT Bombay.

Standing in front of the iconic main building of IIT Roorkee. The campus is so peaceful and beautiful, it was a wonderful environment to be in before our TEDx talk.

Another shot from my visit to IIT Roorkee for the TEDx performance. I loved the serene atmosphere and the beautiful blooming flowers on campus.

With my husband and collaborator, Saurabh, at the IIT Roorkee campus. We were so excited to perform together for the bright minds at TEDx.

With Saurabh and our lovely student host from TEDx SVC. The enthusiasm and hard work of the student organizers always make these events special.

Another candid moment from TEDx SVC, discussing the performance with the event team. It was a pleasure to collaborate with such a dynamic group.

It was an absolute delight to perform for the young and dynamic students at TEDx Sri Venkateswara College. The warmth of the audience is more valuable than any lavish stage.

About Additional Artwork

Creating sand portraits requires a delicate touch and a sharp eye for capturing expressions in real time. Whether it is a likeness for a corporate anniversary event or a personal tribute, I focus on the subtle lines that make a face recognizable. If you are interested in a sand portrait for your event, please send me a high-quality reference photo at least a week before the date so I can study the features and plan the shading.

Sand art is more than just a short stage show. It is a way to freeze a specific moment in time. When I work on custom portraits or specific artistic requests, I move away from the fluid, motion-based storytelling of a longer narrative performance and dive into precision drawing.

The Process Behind the Portrait

It starts with the reference image. I analyze the light and shadows in your photo to translate them into shades of sand. On stage, when I draw a portrait, it happens in seconds. It needs to be bold and accurate, which is why I often request a clear, high-contrast photo beforehand. Whether it is a corporate leader for a company event or a loved one for a special celebration, these pieces add a personal touch that digital photos cannot replicate. The impact comes from watching the image appear out of nowhere on the lightbox.

Technical Expertise

I use a custom-built lightbox with fine-grain sand that allows for smooth transitions. If your venue has a high-quality projector or LED wall, the final result is even more effective as the audience sees the fine details of the portrait projected on a large screen.

Collaborative Storytelling

Often, my husband Saurabh complements these moments with live music. For a portrait reveal, a specific chord or a gradual build-up in music makes the moment emotional and memorable. If you have a specific song or piece of music in mind, let us know early so we can sync the art with the audio. This fusion of live art and sound creates a multisensory experience that resonates long after the show ends.

Performed at TEDx and for Indian ArmyApproved by the tribe
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Manisha Swarnkar

Travels to venues across Delhi NCRStarts from 45,000 Per Performance (10-12 Mins)

I am Manisha, a sand artist who tells stories through hands and light. Whether it is a live corporate portrait or a creative sketch, I aim to turn your moments into visual memories. My husband Saurabh and I often collaborate to bring these performances to life with music.

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