Chikankari - The Art of Embroidery and Detail
The famous Greek traveler Megasthenes describes the beauty of intricate floral motifs and patterns on cloth using chikankari in his work 'Century BC'.
The story follows the traveler when he passes by a small village in Lucknow, India, and his throat was sore due to thirst. There, he met a man who offered him water. To express his gratitude, the traveler taught him chikankari embroidery to make him self reliant, and so that he may never live without the basic essentials of his life.
Chikankari is the authentic artwork of Lucknow, and is the delicate art of crafting shadow and designer type embroidery. This is usually done on a white yarn or colorless muslin cloths over a temporarily made pattern.
A majority of women are involved in the production of these breath-taking creations, and work tirelessly to make them by hand.
An array of floral arrangements adorning drapes with creepers is one of the most famous chikankari works by far, and rightfully so. Chikankari works also feature jasmine, roses, flowering stems, and lotus sewed on the sides of the main artwork.
Although very famously used for South Asian bridal couture dresses, chikankari is also regularly adorned on pillows, bed sheets, duvet covers, bath linens, drapes, and more for a more gorgeous personal touch.
