Dulari Devi was born into a fishing community in Bihar, and she began to work at an early age to help support her family. She belonged to the Dalit caste, a marginalized and often oppressed community in India, and spent her childhood in poverty. Her father married her off when she was only 13, and her husband's family kicked her out when she was 16 following the death of her child. She made a living as a domestic worker, and stayed in that position for over a decade.

Dulari Devi discovered her passion for art after watching her employer, the distinguished artist Mahasundari Devi, paint intricate Madhubani pieces. Mahasundari Devi encouraged her to pursue her newfound love for art, and helped her enroll in a 1-month course to learn the art form. 

Eventually, Dulari Devi built up a portfolio of over 10,000 gorgeous paintings, depicting her childhood, her village, her family, and Hindu religious scenes. Dulari Devi had never been taught how to read or write, so her artwork served as a means of self-expression, showcasing themes of female empowerment and social justice. Her pieces have been featured in prestigious galleries all around the world, such as the Madhubani exhibition at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

Today, Dulari Devi is recognized across India for her stellar work. In fact, in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented her with the Padma Shri Civilian Award for her contributions to the Madhubani tradition. She is the author of a book, Following My Paintbrush, which she co-wrote with Gita Wolf in 2011. The book features many of her most famous paintings, and describes some of the hardships she overcame to find success. 

She recently made headlines for gifting India’s finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, a hand-painted Madhubani sari, which Sitharaman wore when she presented India’s annual budget to the Lok Sabha (the Indian parliament) earlier this year.