Mahasundari Devi was one of the most significant figures in the history of Mithila art — a master painter, teacher, and institutional builder whose work helped establish the tradition as a globally recognized fine art form.

Born in Ranti village, she began painting on walls as a child and became a central figure in the documentation and dissemination of the Mithila tradition from the 1970s onward. She was one of the first artists to teach at the Janakpur Women’s Development Center in Nepal.

Her paintings are notable for their bold compositions and sophisticated engagement with Tantrik iconography. She received the Padma Shri and numerous national and international honors.