“I began directly on the canvas with my pen and paints, skipping any initial sketches,” explained Burman.
Radhika Merchant made her inaugural appearance as part of the Ambani family on Saturday, dressed in a pink lehenga––a hue now synonymous with the family, often known as “Ambani pink”––crafted by designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla in collaboration with artist Jayasri Burman.
Burman disclosed that it took her an entire month, working in her studio in Delhi’s Okhla, to complete this artwork. “I painted for 15-16 hours continuously every day for a month – akin to a sadhu. It was a form of meditation, ensuring I could bring this vision to life,” Burman explained.
The attire, infused with Burman’s distinctive mythological narrative, portrays Anant’s union with Radhika through profound symbolism. Human figures symbolizing the couple radiate a celestial glow, honouring the divine essence of their partnership. The garment’s fauna pays homage to Anant’s love for animals, particularly elephants, revered in Indian culture for their auspiciousness and beauty, Burman explained.
Known for her feminist perspective, the artist drew inspiration from the universe for Radhika’s lehenga paintings. “The sky witnesses all traumas, yet the Universe thrives. I aimed to imbue positivity and discard negativity. As an artist, I offer them happiness and hope,” she expressed.
Reflecting on her creative process, Burman shared how Sandeep Khosla encouraged her artistic freedom. “Sandeep told me, ‘You don’t need to seek anyone’s approval.’ This empowered me greatly. Thus, I began working directly on the canvas with my pen and paints, without any preliminary sketch,” she revealed.
When questioned about her decision to undertake this venture with Radhika, Burman confessed to having initial reservations, as the project presented a departure from her usual work. She explained that Radhika’s heartfelt request ultimately touched her and inspired her to proceed.
“I received a call from Rhea Kapoor’s team in May. We discussed the vision, and unexpectedly, Radhika joined the conversation. She shared with me how one of my paintings adorns their Jamnagar home and spoke passionately about her and Anant’s admiration for it. Radhika’s warmth and sincere enthusiasm made it impossible for me to decline the opportunity,” Burman recalled.
Another reason she chose to undertake the project was the belief and support expressed by Rhea, Radhika, Abu Jani, and Sandeep Khosla. “When something touches your heart, you must act on it,” emphasized Burman.
“I was in the South of France when the initial call came. Just after visiting the Musée Matisse, where I saw a small chapel adorned with his paintings integrated into the priests’ attire, I felt inspired to create a similar fusion for Radhika’s lehenga,” Burman shared. “I deeply admire our cultural heritage and the legacy of our textiles. I wanted to recreate my art in the same manner that Matisse did, on one of our traditional garments.”
Initially, the designers suggested silk for Burman’s work, but considering its durability limitations, she opted for a more enduring solution. “Radhika mentioned she envisioned hanging the lehenga on her walls someday, so I aimed to create something long-lasting for her,” Burman explained. “I asked Anil Gupta, my distributor, to procure a canvas that would flow like fabric, leading us to decide on an Italian canvas.”
Burman meticulously cut 12 canvas pieces, mounted them on a plyboard, and began her painting using her trusted pens. She initially found the boldness of the colors “shocking”, as she typically favored lighter tones. However, she embraced the Ambanis’ preference for pink, a hue she had encountered in previous interactions with them.
“I created a painting for Nita Ji Ambani some 12 years ago. The children personally reached out to me wanting to gift it to their mother,” Burman revealed, noting she had always held a fondness for the children in her heart since then. When Radhika approached her, it seemed inevitable. “I met Radhika and she touched my heart deeply.”
Burman described Radhika and Rhea’s initial reaction upon seeing the lehenga as priceless. “Radhika exclaimed, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe it!’ and her hands were over her face in awe. It’s a moment I won’t soon forget.”