Meet Dali — India’s First Painter Dog and a Furry Philanthropist
Once abandoned and left tied to a post at just 45 days old, now adored — Dali the rescued Labrador is India’s first and only known dog artist. With a brush in her mouth and compassion in her heart, Dali creates stunning watercolor art that’s not just beautiful — it saves lives.
Through her 2025 art calendar, Dali has turned creativity into impact, helping fund the medical care and rescue of injured strays in Hyderabad. Her journey from a tied-up pup to a paw-some painter is inspiring animal lovers across the country.
From Abandoned Pup to Artistic Prodigy
Dali’s story began in heartbreak, but thanks to her adoptive parents, artists Hoi Choudhury and Snehangshu Debnath, her journey took a magical turn.
“She used to steal my husband’s brush and run off,” Hoi shared with PTI. What started as a playful act soon revealed a deeper instinct. “It felt like she was saying, ‘I want to paint too!’” And they let her.
That first swipe on canvas wasn’t just adorable — it was a breakthrough.
Painting With Purpose
Dali now paints abstract masterpieces using a custom-made, dog-friendly brush, lovingly crafted by Snehangshu to fit comfortably in her jaw. With every brushstroke, Dali expresses joy, curiosity, and a kind of soulful whimsy that words can’t quite match.
Soon, her works caught the public eye. The couple decided to launch a limited-edition calendar featuring twelve of her paintings — and the response was overwhelming. In just a short time, Dali’s art has raised over ₹35,000, all of which goes to treating injured and abandoned strays.
A Social Media Star With a Heart
Her story has gone viral across India, with netizens showering love on the four-legged artist. “Cutest painter I have ever seen,” one Instagram user commented. Another wrote, “I’m so proud to own a calendar with your art!”
Dali now boasts nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram, where she’s celebrated as “India’s 1st Painter Dog.” Each post not only showcases her paintings but also raises awareness for stray animals in need.
Art With a Paw-sitive Mission
As India continues to grapple with animal abandonment and street dog injuries, Dali’s story is a bright, paint-splashed ray of hope. She’s not just creating art—she’s inspiring compassion, awareness, and a new kind of activism led by wagging tails and beating hearts.
