Art has the power to heal, as demonstrated by the story of Payal Nag, a teenage artist from Balangir, India. Payal lost all of her limbs in a tragic accident but has been able to move past her trauma and thrive as an artist.
Using her mouth to hold a pencil, Payal creates stunning portraits that have caught the attention of the state government. Impressed by her talent, the government will provide her with high-tech robotic limbs, which she is currently undergoing the fitment process for at the Advanced Rehabilitation Centre in Bhubaneswar.
Payal’s accident occurred in 2015 while her family was working at a brick kiln in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. While playing, she stepped on a live wire, which led to the amputation of both her legs and hands. Her parents had to leave her with her elder daughter in Balangir while they went back to Raipur to find work. Despite these challenges, Payal remained determined to continue her education. Though she faced difficulties in commuting to school, she managed to pick up writing and drawing with her mouth and continued studying.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced her to drop out of school, but Payal continued to pursue her passion for art. She found solace in painting the scenery around her village using her mouth as a brush. The local administration noticed her skills and arranged for an art tutor to help her hone her talents. Eventually, her work caught the attention of Development Commissioner Anu Garg, who directed the Social Security & Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities department to provide Payal with robotic limbs.
Now, Payal is excited about the prospect of painting with her new hands and continuing to develop her art. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of art and the resilience of the human spirit.
