A mandala, derived from the Sanskrit word for “circle”, is an intricate arrangement of patterns radiating from a central point, traditionally representing the universe. For 26-year-old Pune artist Disha Daga, however, it is more than geometry on paper or walls. It is a talent that seamlessly straddles art and business.

Daga’s mandala designs have found clients such as a consumer electronics brand, a global car manufacturer, an investment firm and Vantara, the expansive wildlife centre in Jamnagar.

“My recent government commission was a large painting at the Reserve Bank of India’s Pune office, visible near the entrance. The mandala designs have also travelled to Malaysia, Thailand and the US, while the online and offline workshops have reached more than 25,000 students,” says Daga.

Art is said to be fickle in its rewards. While many Indian artists break auction records, the majority struggle to make ends meet.…