Bharti Dayal was born in December 1961 in Bihar, India. Throughout her childhood, she was immersed in the art traditions of her region, giving her high exposure to folk art forms like Madhubani art. She was also highly committed to her academics, obtaining a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in science (which would later prove useful in her artistic pursuits).

Dayal's practice of Madhubani art was grounded equally in traditional and contemporary forms. She gained a profound understanding of both the technical and cultural history of Madhubani and even used her botany skills from her science endeavors in college to prepare authentic natural pigments. 

Her portfolio is replete with paintings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, including a notable collection of Radha and Krishna pieces. 

Simultaneously, Dayal expanded the thematic scope of her artwork to encompass present-day themes. For example, she championed the empowerment of women through a painting of a girl riding a bike, which symbolized the quest for female education. 

She also played a key role in the transfer of traditions to the next generation by establishing a studio in New Delhi to train young artists and spreading the word about "philosophies behind Madhubani art" through her TEDx talk in 2019.

Bharti Dayal has received both international renown and commercial success from her artistic endeavors. She recieved India's National Award for excellence in handicrafts in 2006, as well as recognition from the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society in 1991. 

Her art is also available for purchase at a high market value, showing that even an ancient folk art like Madhubani has a broad audience in the modern world. 

She is also the author of a book titled "Madhubani Art (Indian Art)," which displays her vast array of artworks.