There is, in mandalas, an aesthetic appeal that is difficult to replicate in other forms of creative expression. It is, at its basest form, an appreciation of symmetry and equilibrium and a representation of cosmic uniformity and harmony, at its highest. Saudamini Madra, then, practices this art form, not only with the utmost passion and zeal, but also with the express hope of conveying a sense of balance and positivity through it. Her artistic pieces are a reflection of her own creative journey and its actualization.
Inclined towards visual art from a young age, Madra pursued Fine Arts in college before choosing to pursue a Master’s Degree in Fashion from the National Institute of Fashion Technology. While she was exposed to different art forms during her education, she felt drawn to monochrome artistic pieces, seeing in them a complexity that one, as an artist, should strive to achieve.
In 2011, Madra, in the process of going through a divorce, lost all the creative pieces that she had painstakingly worked on over the years. The experience of losing pieces of her artistic expression was a terrible one, one she could not bring herself out of for quite a while. A few years later, she felt her old love for monochrome artistic pieces being rekindled when she felt drawn to mandalas. Initially, never having practiced the art form, she knew little about it. However, Madra, fascinated by the elaborate patterns and designs in mandalas, practiced, and practiced religiously. With each passing day and with each piece, she saw her grasp of the art form improve. For her, mandalas perfectly encapsulate her love for symmetry and precision. She has, now, gradually begun to incorporate landscapes and trees, the subject of her previous artistic pieces, into her Mandalas.
“I am slowly working towards landscapes and trees again, incorporating them with my Mandalas and I’m absolutely loving it!”
Saudamini Madra
After quitting her job in the corporate field in 2019, to follow her husband to another city, Madra, just recently, has launched an e-commerce business where she puts up her originals and prints for sale. The whole experience of quitting an established career, moving to a completely foreign city and then pursuing her passion for art, for her, has been one of the biggest leaps of faith she has taken recently. Indeed, she has come a long way, braved a tremendous lot to, finally, pursue her passion for art.
However, the journey has not been an easy one. While interested in pursuing art as a full fledged career for the longest time, it took 15 years for Madra to finally have the opportunity to do so. And, even though she, sometimes, goes back and forth on her decision to pursue art in lieu of having a job in the corporate world, in art, Madra finds a sense of peace and motivation that is difficult to find elsewhere. Moreover, she draws immense joy and satisfaction in creating new artistic pieces that cater to her clients’ demands and expectations, finding the journey in understanding their vision an exciting and fulfilling affair.
It is not a transactional or professional attachment that Madra feels towards art. Her mandalas are a channel for spreading positivity, inspiring, in others, an artistic spirit and, most importantly, in their creation, a personal spiritual experience.
“It’s important to remind ourselves about the great things we can achieve if we trust in ourselves and just give it a try.”
Saudamini Madra
In recognition of that, Madra believes that there are people who are born with latent skill or ability, while others achieve that same ability with persistent practice. Regardless of the manner in which one becomes acquainted with certain achievements, the key factor is recognizing the thing that one wants and then tapping into one’s own self. Latent skill or not, success can only come with consistent drive and effort. This, according to her, becomes even more relevant in the current social and economical atmosphere. There are a varied number of avenues and career opportunities available to us all now. Turning a passion into a career can only come with belief, in one’s own self, and absolute perseverance in the face of challenges and failures.
And, after all is said and done, Saudamini Madra has definitely turned her own love and passion into a calling that is far-reaching and stirring.
