Mahasundari Devi

Mahasundari Devi (died 4 July 2013) was an acclaimed Indian artist and Madhubani painter who won both state and national awards. She was awarded the Tulsi Samman by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 1995, and in 2011 she received the Padma Shri award from the Government of India.

Early life

As a child, Devi was "barely literate" but began painting and learning the Madhubani art form from her aunt.

Career

In 1961 Devi left the "purdah (veil) system" which was prevalent at the time and created her own niche as an artist. She founded a "cooperative society" called Mathila Hastashilp Kalakar Audyogki Sahyog Samiti, which supported the growth and development of handicrafts and artists. She received the National Award from the president of India, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, in 1982. Devi was considered a “living legend” of the art of painting. She received the Padma Shri award from the government of India, in 2011, for her contributions to the field of art. In addition to Mathila painting, Devi was known for her expertise in clay, paper mache, sujani, and Sikki. According to her family, Devi created her last painting in 2011.

Personal life

Devi was a resident of Ranti village located in Madhubani, Bihar. Her daughter, Moti Karna, is also an award winning Madhubani painter. Devi died on 4 July 2013 in a private hospital with sources citing her final age at both 82 and 92. She is survived by two daughters and three sons.