Thoughts on Environment
Yesterday’s Teacher, today’s Artist, Forever a Mentor”
Madhuri’s journey is a beautiful testament to the idea that creativity never truly leaves us; it simply waits for the right moment to bloom again.
Her story carries a sense of profound continuity from her father Shrikrishna Shankar Samel’s legacy as Art Director for over 90 films in the golden era of Hindi Cinema to her own thirty five years of shaping young minds as an educator at Lions Pioneer School in Matunga after her MA and B.Ed degrees. While her career was in education, her soul has always been that of an artist. By rediscovering the brush during the quiet, often difficult days of the global COVID pandemic in 2020, she has proved that art is not just a hobby, but a form of resilience.
Her decision to study Warli, Gond and Madhubani art styles shows a deep respect for India’s roots. These folk arts are, at their core, about the very ‘balance of nature’, making them the perfect medium for her social perspective.
Bridging tradition and Realism: Without formal training but with deep reverence to professional artists, Madhuri immersed herself in the indigenous art forms of India:
Warli: Capturing the rhythm of tribal life.
Gond: Celebrating the intricate patterns of nature.
Madhubani: Honouring ancient stories through vibrant hues.
Realism: An exploration of the world as it is.
Art with a purpose
Many paint for self-expression, but for Madhuri, it is painting for transformation. By dedicating the proceeds of her work to deserving students, she bridges her two lives: as a teacher and the Artist, funding futures.
Through her Realism and folk
