DEVI 2000.192

Born in Kharati, Bihar in 1964, Rukmani Devi learned the customary mural practices of her region from her mother and, later, her mother-in-law. In the North Karanpura Valley, women in villages such as Kharati and Hazaribagh adorn the walls of their mud homes with extraordinary murals. The Khovar style decorates bridal chambers during the marriage season, from January to May, while Sohrai celebrates the harvest season, from October to November. These murals mark ceremonial occasions, translating ritual and community life into vivid visual narratives. In Tree of Life with Mandala, Devi adapted this tradition onto a large board during a residency organised by Djamu Gallery in Sydney, using Australian ochres and glue. The work depicts blossoming trees, birds and fruit, symbolising fertility, continuity and the cycles of life. In the upper right, a marriage mandala – two interlocking squares – evokes the sacred union celebrated in her murals.