Shanti Devi was born in rural Bihar, a place known for fostering rich folk art traditions such as Madhubani and Godna art. She was raised as a member of the Dalit Dusadh caste, an oppressed minority in India, and was thus subjected to discrimination in her village, with some even denying her basic rights like drinking water. She eventually married Shri Shivan Paswan, a renowned Madhubani and Godna artist in his own right.

Shanti Devi She transformed Godna from a tattoo art form to a canvas-based symbolic one, affecting its practice in the modern world and allowing for greater accessibility of the art outside of Bihar, including on the world stage. Her innovative practice of both Godna and Madhubani art alongside her husband challenged notions of which castes were allowed to practice what art, and developed Godna art as a means for rural lower-caste women to achieve financial independence. 

In 2024, Shanti Devi joined a plethora of artists to be honored by the Padma Shri Award, one of the highest civilian honors in India. Her work has been displayed across the world, including in galleries in the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong. She also presented her paintings to top global leaders when India hosted the prestigious G20 summit in 2023, further spreading awareness of the practice of Godna art internationally.