A natural and talented Tanjore artiste, Ritu Sangal has for the last thirty years held a number of solo shows in New Delhi but recently came into the limelight when former President APJ Kalam chose one of her paintings to enrich the Rashtrapati Bhavan collection. "It happened very quickly," she says. “It was a special moment when the President picked up one of my paintings for his collection. I won’t forget that in a hurry,” she says.

She plans to have her next exhibition  at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Ritu is a recipient of 'Priyadarshini Award' for outstanding services and achievements. Her interests in different mediums have made her combine various art forms. She conveys her inner feeling through her creations. She has been deeply involved in spreading the concept of creativity and art amongst all age groups. Her work is simple and realistic; it provides you with glimpses of the real Indian culture.

She is the guiding force for a number of students being taught and guided in the nuances of art. She inspires them to express themselves through her advice. A founder of the Textile Designing Institute in Allahabad, she firmly believes that it is our moral duty to introduce our children to our cultural heritage, thereby enabling them to choose one or more forms of art. Ritu says," I have been involved in fine arts for over four decades. I am happy that my contribution in this field is bearing fruit. Indians are doing very well in art colleges at home and abroad. In India one has to take exam to get into an art college, whereas abroad they simply ask for your portfolio and want to know if you've been interested in the subject from a young age."

She moved to Delhi after her marriage in 1984. Says Ritu: “I began by helping my young neighbours with their artistic endeavours. Slowly, my reputation as an artiste and teacher grew by word of mouth. I am delighted and proud that my 'students' are pursuing higher studies in Indian and foreign universities."
The institute in Allahabad conducts exams every year at 'Ruchi's Institute of Creative Arts.'

”We have had regular exhibitions every year, but it was only last year that we planned a big show. This year we are fortunate to be accommodated by a professional gallery. The idea for an exhibition proves to be a great learning experience for young artistes. They get to assess their own work with their co-artistes and decide by themselves the areas where they need to improve. Once the paintings are framed and exhibited, it makes them aware of the value of their work."

Though she completed her MBA, she did not like to pursue a career in marketing because of her passion for painting. So, after moving to Delhi, she developed her hobby into full-fledged profession. She entered this profession when she saw her mother's involvement in social work in which she used to make garments for the army jawans. That was the turning point.
For three decades now, Ritu has been holding solo exhibitions at several prominent art galleries, such as India Habitat Centre, Pragati Maidan and Gulomar Club in New Delhi and at Ruchi's Institute of Creative Arts in her native Allahabad, among others. Her works forms part of several art collections in several prominent places in the national capital, including the Ministry of External Affairs, and the homes of diplomats from the Australian High commission, among others. Her series of Tanjore paintings of Krishna and Ganesha have been highly appreciated.

What drives her? Says Ritu: “There is a difference between passion for art and livelihood. Fortunately, I do not have to support my family. I am lucky to have my family's support.” Ritu's paintings cost anything between Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,00,000. But some of her small paintings come for as little as Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500.