In a touching moment that underscored their dedication to preserving India’s rich artistic legacy, Nita Ambani and Mukesh Ambani were presented with an extraordinary, custom-crafted portrait during a “Decembering”
evening event. The gift, which required a year of painstaking artistry, was created by master Kal Baffi artisans Rafiq Ahmad Sofi and Shahnawaz Ahmad Sofi and was received by the couple with heartfelt gratitude, recognising the spirit and mastery embedded in every detail.
This remarkable piece is a celebration of rare, time-honoured techniques, uniting four distinct forms of craftsmanship into a singular, breathtaking whole. It features elaborate 3D lotus work, which gives the motif a raised, tactile quality, combined with delicate embossed zari that adds regal texture. The technique of single-tone shading lends nuanced depth and realism, while the entire composition is framed by intricate walnut-wood carving, a speciality of Kashmiri artistry known for its minute detailing.
At the Decembering celebrations at Swadesh, our Founder, Mrs. Nita Ambani, offered a heartfelt note of appreciation, honouring the artisans whose mastery and devotion shape the very essence of Swadesh. “All of them carry forward our Indian legacy from our ancestors, for over… pic.twitter.com/YdpMqEfkGx
— Reliance Foundation (@ril_foundation) December 6, 2025
The portrait is a complex textile mosaic. The faces of the couple are tenderly rendered using fine pashmina wool, known for its softness and ability to capture subtle tones, while their garments are crafted using shimmering silk. The backdrop, rich in detail, is woven with gleaming zari threads. The combined work reveals an astonishing palette of 45 distinct colours and achieves six nuanced tone variations, demonstrating the artisans’ complete command over dye, texture, and light.
The portrait transcends a simple likeness; it is an object of profound artistic devotion, reflecting the essence of the Ambani family’s commitment to Indian arts and crafts, particularly through initiatives like Swadesh. The careful blend of traditional Kashmiri Kal Baffi (hand-knotted carpet/textile art) techniques with fine wood carving exemplifies a philosophy of promoting cross-craft collaboration. Nita Ambani and Mukesh Ambani were deeply moved, seeing in the meticulously crafted piece not just their likeness but also the preservation of ancient skills and the year-long labour of love by the master Sofi artisans.
