Mahasundari Devi

Mahasundari Devi (died 4 July 2013) was an acclaimed Indian artist and Madhubani painter who won both state and national awards.[1] 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.[2]

Early life

As a child, Devi was "barely literate" but began painting and learning the Madhubani art form from her aunt.[3]

Career

In 1961 Devi left the "purdah (veil) system" which was prevalent at the time and created her own niche as an artist.[4] She founded a "cooperative society" called Mathila Hastashilp Kalakar Audyogki Sahyog Samiti, which supported the growth and development of handicrafts and artists.[4] She received the National Award from the president of India, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, in 1982.[4] Devi was considered a “living legend” of the art of painting.[4] She received the Padma Shri award from the government of India, in 2011, for her contributions to the field of art.[4][5] In addition to Mathila painting, Devi was known for her expertise in clay, paper mache, sujani, and Sikki.[3] According to her family, Devi created her last painting in 2011.[3]

Personal life

Devi was a resident of Ranti village located in Madhubani, Bihar.[4] Her daughter, Moti Karna, is also an award winning Madhubani painter.[6] Devi died on 4 July 2013 in a private hospital with sources citing her final age at both 82[6] and 92.[3] She is survived by two daughters and three sons.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Staff Reporter (11 October 2007). "Bihar's Madhubani artists get poor returns". Hindustani Times. Hindustani Times (New Delhi).
  2. ↑ "Padma Awards Announced" (Press release). Ministry of Home Affairs. 25 January 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Staff Reporter (5 July 2013). "Doyenne of Mithila painting Mahasundari Devi dies". Times Of India. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Prakash, Manisha (29 May 2007). "India: Ladies' Fingers and a Flavour of Art". Hindustani Times. Women's Feature Service.
  5. ↑ Staff Reporter (26 January 2011). "List of Padma Awardees for 2011". Mint. New Delhi.
  6. 1 2 3 Staff Reporter (4 July 2013). "Madhubani painting artist Mahasundari Devi dead". Business Standard. Retrieved 17 September 2013.

External links

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