The ‘Mural Saga’ of Success: How Kawita Thakur Taught People to Turn ‘Earth into Gold’
Can a Maruti 800 with heavy murals tied to its roof and a young child in the passenger seat be the start of an extraordinary journey? On a scorching Mumbai afternoon, as my white Maruti stood at a traffic signal, people around were looking at the car in awe. An 8-9 foot heavy board was firmly tied to the roof, and my young son was playing in the passenger seat. At that moment, my hands were on the steering wheel, my heart was full of big dreams, and the vast sky was above me. That was my identity—a woman who never stopped, never bowed down.
Today, when I look back, those days don’t feel like a ‘struggle’; they feel like a masterclass in ’empowerment.’ My journey began in 1997 when my son started senior KG. As a mother, my priority was to provide the best education for my children. In those days, amidst the 12-hour hustle of Mumbai, the lethal crowds of local trains, and daily challenges, I kept my art alive. A terrifying incident, where I fell onto the tracks at Ghatkopar station and a fast mail train passed two minutes later, shook me to my core. But my courage saved me. I realized that if I could survive the jaws of death and stand up again, no obstacle could keep me from my dreams.
My son Divyanshu, who is now a Master in Interaction Design from IDC, IIT Bombay, was my biggest support in childhood. He would spend nights with me distributing pamphlets outside St. Anne’s High School, Malad, and pasting posters on walls. Today, he is a genius car designer, and my other son, Priyanshu, has also won national and international awards—seeing this is my greatest reward.
My career started at Sir J.J. School of Art and was refined with a Ceramic Design course at IDC, IIT Bombay. I haven’t just practiced art; I have lived it. My father, the late Shri Rameshwar Sahu, who was an ‘unstoppable’ architect, gave me a mantra in my childhood—”Beta, money grows on trees; you just have to stretch your hand to pluck it.” He also taught me about real estate development and investment. Today, I am living that same mantra.
People sell water; I created history by selling ‘red clay.’ Today, I supply clay for ‘Sona Mitti’ and terracotta jewelry across India. My institutions, ‘HC School of Art’ and ‘ThakursArt,’ are not just names today—they are missions. That moment in 1999, when I would head out for client meetings with my young child and murals tied to the roof of my Maruti 800, was the biggest ‘turning point’ of my life. That car taught me that I am ‘unstoppable.’
The caravan of online training I started in 2004 has now spread across the globe (USA, UK, UAE). Whether it is creating ‘masterpiece murals’ for corporate giants like TCS or training 2,081 students in 3 days in 2015—my goal has remained the same: ‘Learning to Earning.’ I don’t just teach art; I am empowering Indian women as ‘Art-preneurs.’ I don’t just mold clay into sculptures; I mold the futures of women.
My identity as Kawita Nidhy Thakur is not just that of a ‘Fine Artist,’ but also a ‘Creative Abundance Coach.’ Today, I want to say to all those women—if I, who emerged from the crowds of Mumbai locals, can reach here, why can’t you? Art is not just for decorating walls; it is a medium to ensure your financial independence.
My journey is still ongoing. I invite you to be a part of this mission. Remember, the crop of success is harvested only when you stretch your hands for it. Do you want to turn your art into not just a hobby, but a successful business? If yes, join me on this journey!
Every woman who possesses passion has the power to write her own destiny. My story is a witness that if you have determination, you can even turn earth into gold.
Kawita Nidhy Thakur
Innovative ideas Aboundance Coach
