IAS Officer Nidhi Choudhari Shares How Her Art Becomes A Voice For Nature, Myth & Meaning

A twin-solo exhibition was inaugurated on June 12 at Jehangir Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, by Ashish Shelar, Minister of Culture and Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra. It showcased the works of two serving IAS officers—Nidhi Choudhari of the Maharashtra cadre and Rajanvir Kapur of the West Bengal cadre. 

Choudhari’s work reflects on the craft of storytelling and the countless interpretations that can emerge from a single tale. Through rich narratives spanning across civilisations—Indian, Greek, Egyptian, and Norse—she challenges the ecological detachment that comes with modernism. The collection reimagined our connection with trees—the ancient, silent sentinels of life that have witnessed a millennium of human history. This interview aims to explore the stories that construct the artist’s creative expression.

Excerpts from the interview:

Your exhibition is a spirited explosion of colour, employing contrasting hues with balance. As an artist, what does colour mean to you?

I come from the land of colours—Rajasthan. My roots lie in a culture that celebrates life through vivid hues, and naturally, my artworks reflect that heritage. For me, colour is not just an aesthetic choice; it’s an expression of my values, my roots, and how I perceive the world around me—people, places, and emotions.

From Hindu to Abrahamic mythology, Buddhist to Egyptian legends, your art is rooted in history and tradition. What draws you to folklore, and what can we learn from it?

I’ve been immersed in mythological and religious literature since childhood. These stories have stayed with me and shaped my worldview. Through simple visual language, I try to reconnect people with these tales, not just as history, but as living wisdom. 

Whether from India or around the world, most folk tales revolve around trees, animals, families, and our bond with the community. These are the foundations of a meaningful life. Folk tales remind us of what truly matters—rootedness, interdependence, and harmony with nature.

The influence of Krishna is profound and permeates a lot of your work. What is it about Krishna as a figure that resonates so deeply with you?

While I have explored themes of Ganesha, Buddha, Ram, Sufi mysticism, Jesus, nature, and animals, it is Krishna who resonates with me most deeply. His life teaches us to remain steadfast and joyful amid life’s fiercest storms. His philosophy of unconditional love, selfless action, and playful wisdom inspires me constantly, both as a person and as an artist.

Trees are a recurring motif throughout your exhibition, with references to the Bodhi tree, the Egyptian Tree of Life, the Ashok Vaatika, and many more. What is their overarching significance in your work?

I grew up in the Marwar region of Rajasthan, where the story of Amrita Devi and the sacrifice of 363 Bishnois is part of our everyday lore. That story shaped my early understanding of environmental consciousness. Later, I became fascinated with how ancient civilisations across the world wove trees into their myths and spiritual beliefs, often as sacred symbols or sentient beings. In today’s era of climate change, rampant urbanisation, and ecological loss, I believe it’s essential to return to that reverence for trees. 

Your work touches upon themes of the soul, wisdom, and life after death. How do you view these connections?

I am a deeply spiritual person. I believe that life in its current form is momentary, but the soul’s journey is eternal. Even though we are but stardust in the cosmos, we are also made of the same cosmic dust—this duality humbles me. Indian philosophy offers a profound lens through which to explore concepts of the soul, culture, rebirth, and karma. My art is my way of meditating on these ideas and expressing their essence.

What feeling do you hope visitors carry after seeing your exhibition?

Over the past few days, as I’ve interacted with visitors, I’ve realised how deeply people are moved by the stories of trees that my works portray—and by the quiet spiritual undertones that run through them. If there’s one thing I hope people take with them, it’s a sense of connection—to nature, to themselves, and to the timeless wisdom that lives on in silence, in stillness, and in stories.

‘Whispers of the woods’ is a symbolic creation that prompts a reverence for the entities and the symbols that have moulded civilisations across the world. It reminds us of our shared cultural memory and the need to maintain its delicate balance. By re-establishing a bond with the very roots of our existence, we ensure that the whispers of the woods continue to echo for generations to come.