Radhika Merchant made her first appearance as part of the Ambani family adorned in a stunning pink lehenga, a colour now synonymous with the family. This exquisite piece was crafted by the designer duo Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla in collaboration with artist Jayasri Burman. Burman revealed to indianexpress.com that it took her an entire month of intense work in her Delhi studio to complete the artwork. “I painted 15-16 hours non-stop every day for a month – like a sadhu. It was a meditation of sorts,” she explained. The lehenga is infused with Burman’s signature style of mythological storytelling, depicting Anant and Radhika’s union through profound symbolism. Human figures on the garment radiate a “celestial” glow, and the fauna, especially elephants, pays homage to Anant’s love for animals, a symbol of auspiciousness in Indian culture.
A Unique Collaboration in Design
Jayasri Burman, known for her feminist leanings, drew inspiration from the universe. “The sky knows all the traumas. But the Universe is still alive. I wanted to keep the positivity and let go of the negatives,” she said. The artistic freedom given by Sandeep Khosla allowed her to work directly on the canvas without preliminary sketches. Initially hesitant, Burman was moved by Radhika’s heartfelt request to create something long-lasting. “Radhika told me she wanted to hang the lehenga on her walls someday, so I wanted to do something long-lasting for her,” Jayasri Burman shared. The collaboration began with a call from Rhea Kapoor’s team in May, and Radhika’s warmth and genuine admiration for Jayasri Burman’s work made it impossible for her to refuse the offer.
Symbolism and Artistic Inspiration
Inspired by her visit to the Musée Matisse in France, Jayasri Burman chose to reproduce her art on a lehenga, mirroring Matisse’s adaptation of paintings into priestly habits. Instead of silk, she opted for Italian canvas for its durability. “I wanted something long-lasting for Radhika,” she said. Jayasri Burman meticulously cut 12 canvas pieces, mounted them on a plyboard, and began painting. Despite her initial shock at the vibrant colour, she embraced the Ambanis’ love for pink, a hue she had used in previous projects for the family.
Heartfelt Reactions and Lasting Connections
When Radhika and Rhea first saw the completed lehenga, their reaction was priceless. “Radhika just exclaimed, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe it’ and her hands were on her face in awe,” Burman recalled. The story behind Radhika Merchant’s hand-painted lehenga is a testament to the intricate craftsmanship, profound symbolism, and deep personal connections that went into creating this one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
