This Bengaluru artist's illustrations of asuras are literally all the rage online!

How do you recognise a budding artist? Ask for their notebook and flip to the very last page. That's their real canvas, the one that they are yet to show the world. It was the same with Harshavardhan Behura. During lecturers, this budding artist would doodle away on the last page of his notebook and then, go on to hone his artistic sensibilities via YouTube videos. "But my mother, who is an amateur mural artist herself, will have you know that I get my artistic sensibilities from her," the 24-year-old shares and laughs. But when he got into BITS Pilani and pursued Software Engineering from there, he hardly had enough time for art. And that's when he realised the importance of it. "I understood that I needed to invest at least some time in art after I passed out in 2017," says the youngster who then started actively working on his art and putting it up on his Instagram page.

Though he visits his grandparents back in Odisha once a year, he wishes he could do it more often 

Another point you need to know about Harsha is that he was born and brought up in Bengaluru but he is all Odia at heart. He is in complete awe of mythology, both Indian and Greek, and with Lord Jagannath. So on March 18, he started illustrating and reimagining Lord Jagannath in his various beshas (attire). Needless to say, social media was offended. "I started receiving a lot of hate online and had to take down many posts," recalls Harsha who currently works as a Software Engineer at SAP Labs. So he did the next best thing he could, he started illustrating and reimagining asuras (demons).

Harsha loves colour and it is obvious! | (Pic: Harshavardhan Behura)

Raavan, Hiranyakashipu, Narakasura and so many more. And we have to admit, the digital illustrations are quite eye-catching. "After the series, both on Lord Jagannath and the asuras, many of my friends started asking me more about them. So I guess it's helped start the conversation," he shares. There were even inquiries from people asking if they could print his designs on T-shirts. While that's a big leap, he wants to start with postcards first. 

Now, Harsha has diverted his attention to the most iconic man-made structures in the world, starting with the Pyramids of Giza. We told you, he is a mythology freak! Stay tuned to his Instagram page for more mythical digital art.

He has also done series on 
- Harry Potter
- Madurai 
- Game of Thrones

More of his art

Bhasmasur | (Pic: Harshavardhan Behura)

Raktabeej | (Pic: Harshavardhan Behura)

For more on him, check out instagram.com/artofharsha