In a world constantly pushing for speed and noise, Kausalya Subramaniam, known for her growing online community as ‘Artshalya’ invites us into stillness, intention, and soul through her art. At just 19, what began as a creative exploration during the pandemic quickly transformed into a spiritual and cultural practice rooted in patience, identity, and feminine strength. Specialising in dot mandalas, Indian traditional motifs, and abstract compositions, her work is deeply personal yet universally grounding. Each canvas, each dot, is a meditation, a conversation between culture, colour, and consciousness.
Her platform, ‘Artshalya’ along with her Instagram and TikTok pages, is more than a portfolio. It is a space of quiet resistance, healing, and bold reclamation of what if means to be a woman and a creator in today’s fast-moving world. Artshalya’s journey isn’t just about art, its about returning home to self, culture, and sacred stillness.
The Beginning of a Devotional Journey
Kausalya’s love for art began early, but it wasn’t until the pandemic’s stillness that she uncovered the deeper, spiritual resonance of her craft. It wasn’t a planned career shift, it was a calling. Mandala painting, in particular, became her sanctuary during uncertain times, merging her love for colour, symmetry, and Indian heritage.
Q: How did your journey in art first begin, were you always creatively inclined? And as someone with an academic background in art history, how does that influence your creative process?
A: My journey in art began at a young age 19. Even as a child, I was always drawn to coloring, loved sketching and experimenting with paints. The COVID lockdowns, first time I was started to do dot mandala art. I was looking for something grounding and meaningful and that’s when I discovered dot mandala painting. I’ve always felt a creative pull, especially toward Indian traditional art, and dot mandalas felt like a beautiful blend of precision, peace, and culture. What started as a way to cope during a tough time turned into a deep passion. Since then, I’ve been growing as an artist, sharing my work on Instagram, TikTok, and through my website, artshalya.com, with a goal to keep evolving.
Mandala as Meditation and Meaning
For Kausalya, creating mandalas goes far beyond paint and canvas. It’s an emotional and spiritual journey, a quiet resistance to chaos. Each dot placed with intention becomes a healing breath, and each design serves as a portal for cultural memory and personal strength.
Q: Mandalas are often symbolic of spiritual journeys, what does creating them mean to you personally?
A: Mandalas are deeply personal to me they represent a space of peace, focus, self discipline and self-discovery. when I first started painting dot mandalas what began as a simple exploration quickly became a peaceful person with good vibration and I just focus, and healing. I approach each piece with a deep respect for symbolism and tradition, blending cultural elements with my own contemporary perspective. The mandala, in particular, holds deep meaning for me. Beyond mandalas, my work often explores themes rooted in Indian heritage, reimagined through vibrant color and modern design. I share my art on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and through my website, artshalya.com, hoping to connect with others who find meaning, strength, or even a moment of peace in what I create. Ultimately, I want to grow into the best version of myself as an artist, not just by refining my skills, but by staying true to the spirit and intention behind my work.
Creating Depth in a Scroll-Focused World
In a digital age that often values speed over stillness, conveying the depth of Mandala art through social platforms isn’t always simple. Kausalya faces the dual challenge of preserving tradition while adapting it to contemporary formats.
Q: Have you faced any challenges blending a niche art form into mainstream awareness?
A: Yes, absolutely. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is helping my students see dot mandala art as more than just decorative or “pretty” patterns. To many, it just looks like a beautiful pattern or a decorative piece. But for me, it’s a very spiritual and intentional process. Each dot I place is done with care and presence. It’s not just art, it’s healing, focus, and emotion. Bringing that depth into mainstream platforms like TikTok or Instagram isn’t always easy. The content world moves fast, and mandalas ask people to slow down and feel. Sometimes I worry that the meaning gets lost in the scroll.
Kausalya also she shared that this is a niche and traditional form that she tries to balance it with something fresh, modern colours, personal stories, and own creative twist while respecting the roots of the art.
“It’s taken time for people to connect with it, but when they do, their responses remind me why I keep creating.”
Patience as a Practice, Not a Trait
To some, patience might seem like a requirement for mandala painting, but for Kausalya, its a gift received from the act itself. Art, for her, becomes both ritual and restoration.
Q: Your artworks are incredibly intricate, how do you stay patient and centered while creating them?
A: Patience is definitely key when it comes to creating mandalas and but for me, the process itself actually gives me patience. When I sit down to paint, everything else slows down. It’s like entering a quiet space where I can just breathe, focus, and be present. I don’t like to do rush it and I let the pattern build naturally, layer by layer. Some pieces take hours or even days, but I’ve learned to enjoy that slowness. It becomes a form of self-care and reflection. There are moments when things don’t go as planned, of course and but I try to see those mistakes as part of the journey too. Creating mandalas helps me stay grounded, especially in a busy world. It’s not just about the final piece, but everything I felt and experienced while making it.
A Canvas of Devotion
Of all her pieces, one artwork, a majestic portrait of Nandhi, changed everything. It marked not only creative milestone but also the moment the world began to see what she had always known, that her art mattered. Kausalya shared, that the Nandhi painting has a very special place in her heart as it was her first big canvas work, and it took her three whole months to complete it. Every detail of the painting from the expression to the background, ropes and bells, she added was created with so much care and emotion.
“I poured a lot of myself into it: my cultural roots, my faith, my patience, and my belief in my art. I remember spending long nights layering the sky, one by one, and trying to bring that divine and grounded energy through Nandi’s presence. It wasn’t just about painting a figure, it was about devotion, strength, and stillness. When I finally posted it on social media, I didn’t expect the response I got. That one post brought in so many canvas orders, and it was the moment I felt seen as an artist. This painting didn’t just mark a milestone—it started a new chapter for me”
Healing Through The Hand
Art, in Kausalya’s world is more than expression, it is therapy. Through every dot, line, and brushstroke, she moves closer to clarity, and invites viewers to do the same. Caring art is where Kausalya finds calm.
“When I paint, I let go of stress, overthinking, and even pain. It becomes a space where I can just be present, focused, and connected to myself on a deeper level. And I’ve noticed it’s not just healing for me, viewers feel it too. People have told me that looking at my mandalas or canvas paintings gives them a sense of peace or grounding. I think it’s because energy transfers. When something is made with love, patience, and intention, others can feel that energy, even if they don’t realize it. Art doesn’t always need words. It helps us express emotions we can’t explain and helps others feel seen, understood, or comforted. That’s what makes it so powerful. It can speak to the soul, quietly but deeply.”
For any artist, there’s no greater reward than knowing someone truly connects with your work. When that kind of appreciation arrives, it speaks louder than any recognition. For Kausalya, she too experienced a moment that echoed deeply.
Q: What’s the most unexpected reaction you’ve received from someone seeing your art?
A: One of the most unexpected reactions I’ve received was from someone who looked at one of my mandalas and said, “I don’t know why, but this makes me feel emotional and like I’ve just taken a deep breath I didn’t know I needed.” It really surprised me because they weren’t familiar with dot mandalas or their meaning, but they still felt something. That moment reminded me that art doesn’t always need explanation, if it’s created with pure intention, people will connect to it in their own way.
Another time, someone told me my all Indian classic painting canvas gave them chills, like it was “alive with energy.” I had put so much of my own devotions and patience’s into that all my art works, and hearing that response made me feel seen not just as an artist, but as someone trying to share something meaningful. Those unexpected moments are the most special, because they show how art can quietly reach people’s hearts without us even realizing.
When asked what advice she would give to someone who feels they aren’t creative enough to pursue art, Kausalya gave the perfect advice.
“Don’t let the idea of being “creative enough” stop you. Art isn’t about being perfect, or comparing your work to others. It’s about expressing what’s inside you and your thoughts, emotions, culture, and experiences in your own way. When I started, I didn’t know where it would take me. I just followed what felt natural. I began with simple designs during the COVID lockdowns dot by dot, pattern by pattern and slowly, my confidence and creativity grew. It wasn’t about talent, it was about showing up, being curious, and letting myself grow”.
In a world that often overlooks softness, slowness, and sensitivity, Kausalya Subramaniam stands rooted in them, transforming these very qualities into strength through her art. Her journey is not just about becoming an artist but about reclaiming a space for calm, cultural pride, and conscious femininity in the creative landscape. Each mandala, each canvas, is her quiet revolution. Through discipline, devotion, and the courage to express herself unapologetically, she’s not only creating beautiful work but offers the world a mirror of self-trust, healing and heritage. And that is the kind of artistry that lingers far beyond the frame.
To explore or commission her work, you can reach out to Kausalya via her website at artshalya.com or connect with her on Instagram and TikTok or at 012-9811069.
All information and images has been provided by Kausalya.
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