Nadi

The Story

Nadi is Sanskrit for river, and also the name for the channels through which life energy flows in the body. A pale river of silver beaded linen runs down a cobalt ground, branching and turning as it falls. Around it, columns of stitch and bead in red, white and turquoise stand like reeds, while ribbons of sheer organza drift across the surface, softening everything they cross.

From top to foot, the river widens. Green banks bound in thick couched cord give way to open water of white knots and beaded reeds, and the pale linen channel finally turns and settles at the base of the panel. A single band of turquoise seed beads runs the full height like a current, and beside it rows of red and white stitch are punctuated with black zigzags and scattered beads. The organza ribbons are laid across the finished embroidery and stitched down along their edges, scattered with tiny gold beads, so the stitching beneath stays visible through them, softened, as if seen through moving water.

Nadi is Plate V of the Abstract Collection, created under the artistic direction of Shantnu Sihag Dhul, trained at Istituto Marangoni and Rubelli Venice. Each artwork is entirely hand embroidered, and the intricacy of materials and technique means no two pieces can ever be truly identical. Every artwork carries its own character, impossible to replicate exactly by hand, and is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity.