Nandita Richie

In the heart of Jaipur stood my paternal home, Brij Kutir, named after my great-grandfather, Brij Mohan. At its centre, a magnificent mango tree reached skyward, its branches heavy with fruit. This tree was mine—a symbol of unity, love, and inspiration.

During the 1970s, the house was alive with laughter as our family gathered for the summer holidays. The grand courtyard buzzed with activity, while my mother tirelessly prepared meals to satisfy our never-ending appetites. The evenings were magical. As the sun set, we’d sit together in the courtyard, where the aroma of wet earth mingled with joy. Our matriarch, Bauwa, sat on her wooden throne, offering us the season’s fruits—especially mangoes.

One evening, as we devoured the mangoes, my grandfather, Dr. Tara Shankar Mathur, seized the moment. He taught us about the journey of a mango seed to becoming a majestic tree, sparking my young mind with curiosity and creativity. Inspired, I planted mango seeds in a quiet corner of the courtyard, whispering promises for the future. Those seeds sprouted and grew, blessing us with bountiful harvests year after year.

In 2020, I was reminded of my grandfather's impact. A newspaper honoured him, alongside doctors battling the COVID-19 pandemic, for his service during the 1917 Plague epidemic. Even thirty-seven years after his passing, his legacy continued to shine brightly, filling us with pride.

As life moved forward, I juggled my career in Art education, marriage, and family. The corporate world, however, proved challenging. Constant deadlines, long hours, and office politics took a toll on my health. Promotions seemed reserved for my male colleagues, and with a young daughter and a husband establishing his career, I chose to prioritize my family over my demanding job.

I ventured into teaching and freelance designing, but failure and rejection followed. It was as if something inside me was holding me back from reaching my potential. My life revolved around my role as a full-time wife and mother of three—two daughters and a son. My dreams and aspirations faded into the background.

But my creative soul longed for expression. I began painting again and, with the rise of social media in the early 2000s, shared my work on Facebook. To my surprise, I sold my first painting to a US collector. This encouraged me to keep sharing, connecting with new creative friends, and showcasing my work in solo and group shows both in India and abroad. Art became my language, bringing joy and support from my family along the way.

However, burnout soon set in. Despite investing in a studio full of paintings, sales were stagnant. Financial independence—my core value—remained out of reach. The financial strain weighed heavily on my husband, Richie, especially after a medication-induced illness left him unable to work for months. This stark reminder of life’s fragility reignited my determination to achieve financial independence and embark on a spiritual journey to help Richie regain his strength.

My transformative journey as a healer began with mastering Reiki and Ho’oponopono, along with coaching from esteemed mentors. Administering Reiki to Richie and embracing self-healing ignited a surge of energy and confidence within me. This alignment propelled my art career to new heights, even during the pandemic. I began attracting collectors and galleries from Dubai, the US, and India. The breakthrough was undeniable, and I received a national award from the Government of India—achieving in two years what had eluded me in two decades.

Determined to support women overcoming mental blocks, I began crafting transformative sessions and courses. Drawing on my spiritual healing knowledge—integrating Reiki, Ho’oponopono, EFT, and NLP—with my artistic skills in Neurographica Art, Zentangle, and Mandala Art, I focused on fostering mindfulness and internal energy alignment. The impact was profound, yielding remarkable results and empowering my students to achieve significant personal growth.

In the midst of all this, I founded Life Canvas Academy under the guidance of Siddharth Rajsekar, my digital marketing guru. Despite initial burnout and the challenges of adapting to digital platforms, I remained steadfast in my calling. Siddharth’s courses were a game-changer, equipping me with the tools and confidence to thrive. His weekly sessions and the dynamic community propelled me to significant milestones, including achieving Hall of Fame recognition on his platform.

With renewed energy, I began leading impactful webinars and workshops through Life Canvas Academy. The transformations within my community were remarkable: Shristhi overcame deep-seated inner child trauma, Smriti won a long-fought legal battle, and Subadra recovered 150,000 rupees from a cyber scammer. Neera conquered anxieties and health challenges, and Aashima not only healed from chronic arthritis but also began her journey as a healer, moving toward financial freedom.

Under Siddharth’s guidance, I launched my L2 and L3 courses, training students to become healers and coaches, guiding them in launching their own courses and achieving financial independence. On August 26th, marking the 41st anniversary of my grandfather’s passing, I reflected on how his teachings continue to guide my journey of spiritual enlightenment.

The seed he planted in me as a child has grown into a strong foundation, enabling me to honour his legacy by achieving my dreams as a successful creative healer. Just as the mango tree he inspired bore fruit for many years, his legacy flourishes within me, driving me to make a meaningful impact.

Now, with financial independence and the freedom to make impactful choices, I am on a mission to empower and mentor strong, financially independent women, nurturing spiritual growth and creating my own legacy.