"From crown to quiet light,
From palace into sight,
Power turns to peace,
Dark transforms to bright."
Soul Passage
Sari ID: 26 SANG SOP AAM
By Sangeeta Abhay
Collection: Journey and Exile
Created by: Sangeeta Abhay, Bangalore
Sari Details: Silk Aari embroidery and pointillism on custom-woven Kanchipuram silk
Latest Exhibit: Asian Art Museum, San Francisco (March 2026)
Includes: Blouse kit (materials for two blouses) and certificate of authenticity
Care: Dry clean only by textile specialist
Status: Available for sale
The Artist
Sangeeta Abhay is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores Buddhist philosophy through paintings and sculptures using gold leaf, oil, resin, and eco-friendly materials. She received the 12th Florence Biennale 2019 award for her anamorphic Buddha sculpture "Peace Warrior" and was featured as the sole Indian artist in the BBC documentary "Civilisation." Her work has received praise from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Padma Bhushan Gulzar wrote couplets for five of her artworks.
The Inspiration
Soul Passage traces Siddhartha’s transformation into the Buddha, a journey chosen rather than imposed.
The left side depicts Siddhartha as a prince of the Shakya lineage, with lions, shields, and swords reflecting royal heritage, palace life, and material identity against a maroon backdrop.
The right side reveals the Buddha, set against gold, where hearts and pigeons symbolize peace, a Bodhi tree rises in quiet strength, and deer beneath it evoke serenity. Traditional buttas give way to doves, and the pallu border bears the phrase Atta Dipo Bhava in Pali which means be your own light.
From Sari to Art
This piece is fully embroidered and highly intricate.
The embroidery was executed by Bharti, Madhurya, and Pihyoo’s team under Sangeeta’s close supervision. She guided the stitch language and worked collaboratively with the artisans. Through the process, she learned new terminologies and techniques while refining her vision through their expertise.
Monochrome tones were used for Buddha’s faces, while gold zari dominates the composition, reinforcing spiritual radiance. The process was one of shared craftsmanship, patience, and devotion.
Message for the World
This sari reflects who one is and what one is becoming.
It invites the wearer to hold both power and surrender with grace. Each fold carries a journey, not away from the world but toward one’s true self.