Rakhi Poddar, a 47-year-old artist and founder of Devtaru, is celebrated for her vibrant, emotion-driven paintings that capture the strength, equality and resilience of women.
Poddar also works as a spokesperson and is noted for her, often, themes surrounding femininity and art.As she says,” My relationship with art began long before I understood what art truly was. It emerged quietly and instinctively in childhood, at a time when colours spoke to me more deeply than words ever could. Some of my earliest and most cherished memories are tied to festivals, especially Diwali, when the floors of our home became open canvases. I would spend hours creating rangolis with vibrant powders, completely absorbed in the rhythm of colours flowing through my hands. Each finished design brought joy, and every smile or word of appreciation planted a small seed of confidence, affirming that this language of colour belonged to me.”
From a very young age, Rakhi was constantly drawn to blank spaces white paper, empty corners, any surface that invited expression. ” I was particularly fascinated by women’s faces and their emotions. The strength hidden within softness, the stories reflected in eyes, and the quiet power of expressions pulled me towards portraiture.” Alongside this, she developed a deep love for black and white. Charcoal, with its rawness and depth, fascinated her. She still remembers her first charcoal pencil, gifted by her mama from America.
With it, she began sketching women’s faces strong yet gentle, expressive yet silent.” As she remembers, ” To my surprise, these works were appreciated by everyone around me, and my skills gradually began to evolve.”
Experimentation became an essential part of her journey. She loved exploring new materials, understanding textures, and mastering light, shade, contrast, and tonal depth through sketching. As she grew older, her commitment to art deepened. She actively participated in school competitions, learning discipline, patience, and observation. As she quips,” My mother played a significant role in shaping my artistic outlook. Though out a science student, her precise diagrams taught me that creativity and structure can beautifully coexist.
Driven by passion, I pursued formal art training in Delhi—a transformative phase that refined my technique and broadened my vision. Art became not just something I practiced, but something I lived. Life later brought a pause through marriage and responsibilities, yet art never left me. When I finally picked up the brush again, it felt like a rebirth. By then, my practice of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism had infused my work with deeper intention, positivity, and purpose.”
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Over time, her journey was recognised through meaningful milestones, including the Savvy Excellence Award (2017), Kala Gaurav Award (2018), participation as a spokesperson at the Women’s Summit (2019), and the Society Achiever Award in 2025. “Today, I work primarily with acrylics, creating vibrant, meditative, and nature-inspired paintings that bring calm, balance, and positivity into living spaces. My journey continues not only as an artist, but as a guide for aspiring creatives believing that art, like life, is not about perfection, but about sincerity.”
(For more details follow Rakhi Poddar at Instagram :devtarubyrakhi)
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