A visual artist from Guwahati, Kaveri Banikya turned to art as a healing tool during a life-altering health crisis. She transformed her passion into a purpose-driven career rooted in spirituality and positivity. Her journey highlights the power of resilience, creativity, and self-belief.

Kaveri Banikya is a talented visual artist, art educator, and the founder of Sacred Healing Art by Kaveri, based in Guwahati, Assam.

From a young age, Kaveri had a natural affinity for art. Her passion for painting bloomed early, and her mother, recognizing her potential, encouraged her to join an art school. Kaveri spent the next 13 years refining her skills, immersed in the world of creativity. A curious and lively child, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, while her love for art continued to grow, shaping the foundation for her future artistic career.

Kaveri Banikya openly shares the challenges she faced during a difficult period of her life. While pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic, she followed her doctor’s advice to leave her corporate job and take a complete rest. However, she tragically tested positive for COVID-19 and lost her baby. To top it all, she developed a rare illness, and despite consulting top doctors and trying various treatments, nothing seemed to work. Her condition worsened to the point where doctors scheduled an open-heart surgery.

Miraculously, just a day before the surgery, Kaveri experienced an unexpected recovery, and her health began to improve. During this healing journey, she turned to art as a therapeutic outlet, using it as a tool to regain her physical and mental well-being. As she immersed herself in painting, not only did her health begin to improve, but even her medical reports reflected positive changes.

Banikya reflects on how her sister played a pivotal role in shaping her artistic journey. It was her sister who encouraged her to showcase her work on social media, a step that turned out to be life-changing. To Kaveri's delight, her paintings were warmly received and appreciated by many, which sparked the beginning of her professional journey as an artist.

A significant part of Kaveri's creative process is her deep connection to spirituality and energy. She prefers to paint in the early hours of the morning, during the Brahma Muhurta, which is considered a spiritually auspicious time. It’s a period believed to be filled with positive energy, and Kaveri uses this time to connect with her inner self. As she paints, she chants mantras, a practice that not only centres her mind but also infuses each artwork with a unique vibrational energy. This combination of spirituality, timing, and positive intention makes her art a powerful reflection of healing and transformation, both for herself and for those who experience her work.

Kaveri shares her success mantra with a deep sense of conviction: she believes that every individual has a unique ability within them, and the key to unlocking this potential lies in dedicating oneself with focused effort and positive intention. For her, this approach has been transformative. By channelling her energy and passion into her art, she was able to overcome personal challenges and make her mark as a visual artist. She feels that it is the positive energy she radiates through her work that draws people to her, helping them connect with her art on a deeper level. Kaveri’s message is simple yet powerful: by aligning your efforts with your purpose, you can truly bring your talents to life and make a meaningful impact.

Kaveri speaks with heartfelt emotion about her achievements, emphasising that art has been much more than a profession for her—it has been a profound healing tool. She shares that her journey into the world of art was never about business but about passion. The love and appreciation she has received along the way have motivated her to continue creating and sharing her work with the world.

When discussing her role models, Kaveri mentions Anita Moorjani, whose story deeply inspired her. Moorjani's transformative experience of returning to life after a near-death ordeal of four years gave Kaveri a renewed perspective. She also recalls how the song "Let It Go" from the animated movie Frozen became her anthem of hope during one of the darkest phases of her life—when she was on her deathbed. These sources of inspiration instilled in her a sense of resilience and the belief in embracing life’s challenges with courage.

To aspiring artists, Kaveri offers thoughtful advice. She encourages them to recognize and nurture their talents while strategically working towards sharing their art with the world. "Let your creativity connect with the right audience," she suggests, emphasising the importance of blending passion with purpose.

Addressing her fellow Indians, Kaveri reflects on the beauty and brevity of life, urging everyone to treasure it. "Learn from your experiences and strive to grow together," she says. Her message is one of self-love and perseverance. "Life may be challenging at times, but never give up. Every situation, no matter how difficult, has something to teach us," she adds with optimism and warmth.