Raised in the heart of Basaratpur, Gorakhpur, Deepika married Shivaji Rai in 2021. Even after her marriage, Deepika’s love for painting thrived. Her husband, noticing her talent and drive, encouraged her to turn her passion into a career. With his support, she began showcasing her work at government exhibitions, including the prestigious Raj Bhawan in Lucknow. Her art was admired everywhere, but Deepika knew she needed more guidance to transform her creativity into entrepreneurship. That’s when fate introduced her to Jagriti’s Udyam Corp Preeti. In 2022, she embarked on the life-changing Jagriti Yatra.
After returning from the Jagriti Yatra, Deepika was brimming with entrepreneurial knowledge and ready to take the plunge. At a NABARD exhibition in Gorakhpur’s Jubilee Inter College, her artwork caught the attention of Commissioner Ravi Kumar NG. He suggested she explore terracotta jewelry, promising support under the ODOP (One District One Product) initiative. Inspired and determined, Deepika began learning the craft of terracotta jewelry from local artisans and through online resources. Soon, her pieces were as elegant as the paintings she had always adored.
With her flourishing venture, Atrangi Kalakari, Deepika became more than an artist. She became a mentor and provider for 30 women who now work with her. These women earn between ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per month, and their handcrafted jewelry, keychains, and gift items are sold in cities across India, including Mumbai and Gujarat, and even abroad. Deepika’s dream now is to take her business online, for which she is working hard on completing the necessary GST paperwork.
As Deepika reflects on her journey from the modest streets of Gorakhpur to building her brand, there are moments where she pauses. It wasn’t financial struggles that tested her, but the skepticism of the market. “Terracotta? It’s just clay, it’ll break,” many shopkeepers would say. But Deepika, armed with resilience, convinced them to take just a few pieces. As trust grew, so did her production. Her unwavering belief in her craft proved that dedication and passion could overcome even the hardest challenges.
Deepika’s story is a vibrant canvas painted with the colors of persistence, where creativity and hard work blend to create a brighter future for herself and the community she supports. Her handcrafted terracotta jewelry now crosses borders, yet she remains rooted in her Gorakhpur beginnings, a humble artist at heart. Backed by Jagriti’s support, Deepika’s journey is a testament to what happens when true passion meets real purpose — even the most fragile clay can be molded into something enduring and beautiful.
