Dr Vasu Tolia on dramatic skies, serving neurodivergent communities, and poetry in colour
A physician, visual artist and advocate for healing through creativity writes about painting with words, what she is profoundly grateful for, whether beauty is a luxury, and lifting up the quiet ones.
1 You grew up in 1950s Kolkata where some activities were not routine for girls. How did your childhood shape your commitment to women’s empowerment?
I grew up in Kolkata in a culture where some activities such as biking, swimming, or playing sports were not routine for girls in general. But it wasn’t like that everywhere in India. My cousins in Gujarat biked to school daily. This is a reminder that geography, family, and cultural norms shape childhoods very differently.
Those early limitations stayed with me. Perhaps that’s why the women I paint today feel expansive, unafraid, expressive, and full of movement. Every empowered woman I paint is a conversation with the role I always felt should be available to women everywhere.
And there’s another layer: I was a shy, introverted child. I know what it feels like to be quiet or unseen. That is why I’m drawn to lifting up the quiet ones — giving them visibility, voice, and the freedom that was not a norm during my childhood.
2 How can art uplift us?
Art has a remarkable ability to uplift us on multiple levels. Emotionally it creates moments of peace, grounding and reflection. Aesthetically it surrounds us with beauty, color and hope. Scientifically it lowers cortisol, increases dopamine and serotonin and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Art uplifts us because it bypasses language and speaks directly to the nervous system. It soothes us, inspires us and brings us back to ourselves. To me beauty is not a luxury, beauty is nourishment.
3 What can art do for neurodivergent individuals?
Art can be profoundly supportive for neurodivergent children and adults. It helps with sensory regulation, emotional expression, grounding through color and pattern, reducing overwhelm, communication beyond words, and emotional safety and confidence. I am deeply committed to serving neurodivergent communities. I was honored to be featured as the Artist of the Month in November 2025 by The Blue Banana Bites, a platform dedicated to neurodiversity and well-being. I also support organizations like the Ted Lindsay Foundation which works tirelessly for autism awareness and support. For many neurodivergent individuals art becomes a bridge — a way to connect, express, regulate and thrive.
Also listen to Vasu discussing her transition from medicine to visual art, starting a new career, and how to get the most from the art on your walls.
A moment of stillness and reflection
4 Apart from being a medical professional and visual artist, you’re also a poet. Please elaborate.
Poetry came to me long before painting did. Poetry became the place where my inner world could rest, unfurl, and speak freely. Medicine taught me structure, poetry gave me a quiet space to breathe, to listen inward and to process emotions that had nowhere else to go. My poems often explore the same themes as my artwork — resilience, healing, identity, memory and the emotional undercurrents of life. Poetry for me is painting with words. Painting is poetry in color. Both nourish my spirit.
5 Tell us about your family.
My family is my anchor and my greatest source of joy. I have identical twin boys. One has three wonderful children — a 13 year old daughter and two sons aged 11 and 9. My other son has two little ones — a 3 year old boy and a 5 month old girl. Being a mother and grandmother has filled my life with meaning, laughter and tenderness. Their curiosity and joy inspire me constantly and their unconditional love keeps me grounded in what truly matters.
6 What do you particularly appreciate about your husband?
There is so much I appreciate about my husband that I don’t believe I can fully express it. His unwavering support in every step of my life since our marriage, including my transition from medicine to art and every reinvention in between. His quiet strength, kindness and belief in my work bring comfort and courage to my journey. I am profoundly grateful for him.
7 You travel often. May we hear more about your recent trip to East Africa?
We recently visited Kenya and the Masai Mara and it was one of the most remarkable trips of my life. The safaris were magical — vast landscapes, dramatic skies and countless animals roaming freely. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippos and many other animals — each moment felt like stepping into a living painting. But the most moving part was experiencing it alongside my grandchildren. Watching their joy, awe and reverence for wildlife was deeply touching. Seeing the wilderness through their eyes reminded me of how important it is to pass on the love for nature and a sense of global connection. Travel expands my heart and my palette — East Africa did both.
8 You recently lost your brother. What about him do you celebrate?
Losing my brother was a profound loss. He was extraordinarily talented — an international celebrity in the field of Cricket — yet he carried himself with the deepest humility. He never sought the spotlight. He lived fully, generously and with quiet wisdom. His dignity and humor touched everyone around him. I celebrate his kindness, his brilliance and his ability to elevate others. His absence has left a deep ache, but his memory fills my life with warmth, inspiration and gratitude. I carry him with me in my art, my stories and my commitment to live in every moment.
More about Dr Vasu
Dr. Vasu Tolia is a physician-artist whose work bridges medicine, creativity, and healing. After a distinguished career in Pediatric Gastroenterology, she transitioned into full‑time visual art, exploring themes of resilience, empowerment, identity, and neurodiversity. Her artwork has appeared in The Washington Post, CDC journal covers, WHO exhibitions, and international showcases.
Through painting, poetry and philanthropy, Dr Vasu continues to uplift individuals and communities guided by a deeply human mission to bring more beauty, peace and visibility into the world.
Website: www.vasutolia.art
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vasutolia
Instagram @toliavasu
Linked in - Dr. Vasundhara(Vasu) Tolia
Thumbnail image: Unsplash
Other images supplied by Dr Vasu Tolia