This inspiring young woman has taken her passion for art to new heights, evolving from a cabin crew member to a renowned muralist in Malaysia. After all, creating art is more than just a job for her, as the love for her art shines through every brushstroke, and she feels fortunate to share her creativity with the world.
Her journey began with a simple passion for sketching, drawing portraits for close family and friends. What started as a personal hobby eventually evolved into a full-fledged artistic pursuit that now spans walls, doors, and even entire buildings.
After completing her degree in architecture, Sangheeta began her internship in an interior design firm, where her creative spark found a new canvas. “My boss noticed I was good at painting and suggested I design a feature wall,” she shared.
“From there, I began experimenting with wall art, simple patterns at first, and then larger, more expressive murals.”
When the pandemic struck, Sangheeta took a leap of faith and decided to pursue mural painting full-time. What started as a three-month trial became a flourishing career. “It’s been almost six years full-time now,” she said with a smile. “And eight years if you count when I was doing it part-time.”
With that recently, Sangheeta’s talent reached new heights when she was approached by Astro to create the key visual mural for Deepavali 2025. The opportunity came through an unexpected message on Instagram. “At first, I didn’t expect much, this field has its ups and downs. But when I met the Astro team, I knew it was something special,” she said.
The concept for the mural was rooted in celebration and community. “They wanted something that truly reflected the spirit of Deepavali. I produced a sketch by hand, we didn’t use AI at all. Everything was hand-drawn using digital pens and sketching tools like Procreate. I’m grateful that the Astro team trusted my process.”
The final mural, measuring 10 by 7 feet, was painted on plywood to make it movable. It took two full days to complete. “Usually, I can finish wall paintings faster, but plywood absorbs paint differently. It was more work but worth it. The process didn’t feel like work at all; it felt like a celebration.”
Despite her growing recognition, Sangheeta is acutely aware of the challenges facing traditional artists in an age dominated by artificial intelligence and digital prints.
“AI has changed the game. It’s fast, cheap, and easily accessible,” she admitted. “But what people forget is that AI art can be reproduced endlessly. A single digital piece could appear in hundreds of homes. A hand-drawn painting, though that’s one of a kind. It’s yours alone. No two pieces are ever the same.”
She believes the appreciation for handcrafted art still exists, especially among those who value authenticity and tradition. “Some people look for convenience, but others truly value the artist’s time, passion, and process. Those are the people who keep art alive.”
Today, she runs her own art gallery in Rawang, where her works extend beyond murals. The gallery features unique hand-drawn pieces crafted on old wooden doors, furniture, and other repurposed materials, giving life to forgotten treasures. “An uncle once came to me with boxes of broken statues such as Shivan, Parvati, and others. He had left his carving work for over 15 years. We took them in, refurbished, repainted, and gave them a second life. That’s what art means to me, reviving the past with new energy.”
For Sangheeta, every mural tells a story not just through its design but through the people and emotions connected to it. “One of my most meaningful pieces was an Annapurni statue painting I did in Singapore. It wasn’t colourful, just twelve shades of tone. But it reflected tradition, simplicity, and divinity. That’s what art is about, connection.”
When asked about her biggest challenges, she shared that starting out as a female mural artist in Malaysia wasn’t easy. “Seven years ago, there weren’t many women in this field here. It was small, mostly dominated by artists from India. But things are changing now. People are noticing and appreciate local talent.”
To the young muralists dreaming big, seize every opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge. Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential, it's where the magic happens. Trust in your unique perspective and believe in your dreams. Challenges will shape your artistic journey, so keep moving forward and let your creativity flow!
As for my younger self, I'd say, "Believe in your dreams and your unique perspective. Your journey will be filled with challenges, but those challenges will shape you into the artist you aspire to be. Keep pushing forward and never stop creating."
Through her stunning creations, Sangheeta transforms walls into stories that literally connectet to each and every individuals that love arts. In a world of ever-changing trends, her art reminds us that the human touch is what truly matters.