Bhubaneswar/Baragada: A childhood surrounded by fear, separation and uncertainty could have changed the direction of her life. But Atulya Lohar chose colours instead of darkness and turned her struggles into a source of strength.
Today, the young artist from Odisha is giving life to empty walls through meaningful murals, spreading social messages and earning recognition for her dedication, creativity and passion.
Her journey from Chichinda village under Sohela block of Baragada district to becoming a recognised artist is a story of courage, determination and the power of dreams.
Speaking to Ommcom News, Atulya said her artistic journey was deeply influenced by some painful memories from her childhood. Behind her bright paintings and colourful murals lies a story of struggle, fear and emotional challenges that shaped her personality and creativity.
“During the difficult period of 2008, when communal violence affected parts of Kandhamal district, the impact of unrest was also felt in nearby areas, including parts of Baragada. My family faced fear and uncertainty during that time. I was only three years old and may not have understood the situation fully, but those memories remained connected with my life. My mother, Dipika Lohar, was worried about the safety of my brother and me. During those troubled days, she carried us in her arms while crossing a pond and moving towards another village in search of safety. My father, Manas Ranjan Singh Lohar, was away from the district for work at that time,” recalled Atulya.
Concerned about her daughter’s education and future, Atulya’s mother decided to send her to her maternal uncle’s house in Balangir town. Though the decision was made for her better future, it brought separation from her parents at a very young age.
Atulya remembers the emotional difficulties she faced while adjusting to a new place.
“I was too young to understand everything happening around me, but I missed my parents and cried often. Later, those experiences became a part of my art and helped me express my emotions through paintings,” she said.
Atulya grew up in a family where creativity was always encouraged. Although her grandparents were not professional artists, they enjoyed painting and working with colours.
Watching them create artworks slowly developed her interest in art.
At the age of just two or three, Atulya made her first drawing—a fish. What seemed like a simple childhood sketch became the beginning of an extraordinary artistic journey.
“When I was a child, I watched my grandparents paint and slowly understood the language of colours. That early connection with art became the foundation of my life,” she said.
She completed her schooling up to Class XII while staying at her maternal uncle’s house in Balangir. Later, she decided to follow her passion professionally and pursued a Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) degree at Dhauli College of Art and Craft in Bhubaneswar.
Atulya’s journey towards success was not without challenges. During her school years, she participated in several drawing competitions but often failed to win prizes despite regular practice.
“There was a time when I took part in many competitions but could not secure top positions. I felt disappointed, but I never stopped practising. Those failures taught me patience and made me stronger,” she said.
Her continuous efforts gradually brought success. From Class VII onwards, she started performing well in competitions and gained confidence in her abilities.
The girl who once struggled to win prizes eventually began achieving top positions through hard work and dedication.
A major turning point in Atulya’s life came through her maternal grandfather, Debendra Chhatriya.
At a time when many students preferred careers in engineering, medicine and other traditional fields, he recognised her artistic talent and encouraged her to pursue art professionally.
“My grandfather believed in my talent and guided me towards an art career. His support gave me the confidence to choose a different path,” she said.
After noticing an admission advertisement for an art college, her grandfather encouraged her to apply. Following his advice, she joined the Bachelor of Visual Arts course at Dhauli College of Art and Craft, Bhubaneswar.
The course helped her explore different forms of creativity. Along with painting, she learned sculpture, Indian art, applied art, graphics, animation, visual effects and digital art.
This exposure helped her develop a broader understanding of both traditional and modern art.
Today, Atulya has established herself as a freelance mural artist. With permission from the Balangir Municipality, she creates large wall paintings across the city, including portraits of famous personalities and artworks carrying social messages.
“For me, a painting is not only about beauty and colours. It should carry a message that encourages people to think and brings positive change to society,” she said.
Her murals have transformed ordinary walls into attractive public spaces filled with meaning.
“Every wall has a story, and through my paintings, I want to give those walls a voice,” she added.
She works on mural projects according to their size and requirements and earns based on the area painted. Working with a team of five to six artists, she creates artworks that combine creativity with awareness.
One of her most memorable works is a 14-foot by 5-foot mural of popular Odia singer Humane Sagar. She completed the artwork within six to seven hours. After sharing pictures of the mural on social media, it received widespread appreciation and attracted attention from thousands of people.
Apart from her achievements in art, Atulya has another remarkable talent. She can ride and drive almost every type of vehicle, including scooters, motorcycles, cars, tractors, trucks, JCB machines, and even a Royal Enfield Bullet. She is also skilled in operating drones, showcasing her confidence and versatility beyond the world of art.
Atulya’s talent and dedication have brought her recognition at both national and state levels. She has participated in several exhibitions and art events, including programmes associated with Lalit Kala Akademi.
Her achievements include the India Proud Book of Records (2022), Rashtriya Pratishtha Puraskar (2023) and Bharat Gaurav Samman (2023), along with several state-level awards.
Today, she is also invited as a judge for art competitions and college-level events in Balangir, reflecting the respect she has earned in the field of art.
The eldest among three siblings, Atulya credits her family for supporting her dreams. Her younger brother is a national-level Thang-Ta player, while her youngest sibling is also learning art under her guidance.
Despite her achievements, Atulya believes her journey is still continuing. Her biggest dream is to see her artworks displayed in renowned galleries across India and abroad.
“My dream is not only to see my paintings in big galleries. I want my artwork to create an impact so that people remember the message behind my paintings and feel inspired,” she said.
For Atulya, art is much more than colours on a canvas. It is her voice, her emotions and her way of connecting with society.
From a little girl who found comfort in drawing during difficult times to an artist whose murals inspire people, Atulya Lohar’s journey proves that even painful memories can be transformed into the brightest colours of success.
