In a country where art and culture are woven into the fabric of everyday life, one young painter from Bhubaneswar is making waves in Mumbai’s vibrant art scene. Pal, a talented artist with a passion for capturing the essence of Indian dance, has already painted some of the biggest names in the field. From the intricate movements of Bharatanatyam to the energetic beats of Kathak, Pal’s brushstrokes bring to life the beauty and elegance of India’s rich cultural heritage. With a career marked by remarkable achievements, this young sensation has proven that age is just a number – and talent is timeless.
Pal had it all – a secure job with fat salary and a comfortable life. But the itch to create something meaningful wouldn’t fade. So, he took a leap of faith, ditching the corporate grind for the thrill of the creative unknown. Today, he’s a trailblazing fashion designer, putting Odisha’s handloom on the global fashion map, and a painter with a palette of passion, earning accolades from the who’s who. His journey is a proof to the power of following your dreams, no matter the risk. The Bhubaneswar-born designer is known for blending is known for blending traditional textiles with contemporary flair.
Ommcom News gets exclusive with Pal, the young painter bringing India’s dance legends to life. What’s the story behind his vibrant strokes? As we dive into his inspiring journey, Pal reveals the inspirations behind his art and the secrets to his success, painting a picture of passion, dedication, and creativity.
Debabrata’s journey began with a brush in hand, thanks to his mother. “She was my first teacher who used to make jhoti chita (rangoli) during pujas. I learnt the art of making rangolis from her. In this way, I got exposed to colours at an early age”, he recalled.
Growing up, he was fascinated by her handloom sarees and vibrant colours. It was my mother who inspired me to pursue fashion and painting,” said Debabrata.
Debabrata’s heart never belonged to engineering. “Fashion designing was my true calling. While colleagues coded through day and night, Debabrata sketched designs and nurtured his passion. The corporate world couldn’t stifle his creativity. I felt trapped, unable to pursue fashion full-time,” he recounted. Despite parents’ concerns, he chose passion over security, trading screens for sketches and finding his true canvas.
Debabrata’s rise to fame was unexpected. “I was thrilled when my portrait of Odissi dancer Prachiti Dange went viral. This led to a spot at Lakme Fashion Week 2018, where he caught Anita Dongre’s eye. She offered me a collaboration and it was a dream come true. Varsha Usgaonkar soon became a fan, commissioning custom designs and styling. Debabrata’s talent landed him gigs with Sushmita Sen, Kangana Ranaut, and Karan Johar’s Kalank, where he hand-painted posters. Varun Dhawan even insisted me attend the poster launch and it was surreal,” he beamed.
Now, he rocks his own designs, living his fashion dream.
Talking about how he fell in love with the idea of painting dancers while they performed live on stage, he said, “Watching Sujata Mohapatra, a Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, perform Odissi was a transformative experience that sparked my creativity. Inspired by her elegance and technique, I painted her as she danced, capturing the essence of her performance. The artwork turned out beautifully, encouraging me to paint more dancers. I later had the opportunity to paint Padmashree Ileana Chitarist, another renowned Odissi dancer, solidifying my passion for painting live performances.”
Known for his pioneering work in Nrityachitram, a unique performance art that combines classical Odissi dance with live painting, his unique blend of tradition and innovation has put him at the forefront of Indian art. His ‘Natyasastra Chitra Sutram’ series has earned him acclaim, including the Rashtriya Kala Sanman award from Dr Kiran Bedi. Besides, he took his art to Oxford, where he lectured at St. John College, University of Oxford, sharing his expertise with the world.
Pal’s fusion of dance and art is unique – he believes each dance has a colour palette that echoes its rhythm. His deliberate, slow process is a breath of fresh air in today’s fast-paced world. “I want my work to be calming, a peaceful experience,” he said.
International Appearance and Performance by Debabrata Pal
- The 3rd International Watercolor Biennale, Vietnam
- Nirtyakriti – India–USA Cultural Collaboration, USA
- Raagchitra – Indian Classical Music & Art Retreat, Cyprus
- Rangmanch – India–Malaysia Cultural Arts Presentation
- Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI), UK
- International Day of Yoga 2025 – London
- Inclusive Art Performance at The Scottish Crango Centre
- Unveiling of Rabindranath Tagore’s Bust – Edinburgh, Scotland
- Rhapsodies of River – A Cultural Dialogue at the Scottish Parliament
- Maatru Vandana – Tribute to the Mother Goddesses, London
- Nirtyachitram – The Nehru Centre, London
- Nirtyachitram (Dance while Paint Through Foot), UK
Rashmi Rekha Das
