Fact | Details |
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Ancient Origins | Chikankari Embroidery dates back to the Mughal era, with Emperor Jahangir's wife, Nur Jahan, credited for popularising it in India. |
Persian Influence | The word Chikan is derived from the Persian word Chikeen, meaning embroidery, suggesting Persian or Turkish roots. |
Initially White-on-White | Originally, Chikankari was done only with white thread on fine muslin or mulmul fabric, creating an ethereal, delicate effect. |
Handcrafted Excellence | Chikankari piece is handcrafted, involving over 36 intricate stitching techniques, including bakhiya, keel and jaali. |
Jaali Work without Cutting Threads | The signature jaali work in Chikankari resembles lace but is made without cutting or pulling out threads, a technique unique to this craft. |
British Influence on Fabrics | The British colonial era introduced cotton and organza as common bases for Chikankari, replacing the traditional fine muslin. |
Labour Intensive Process | A single piece can take weeks or even months to complete, as it passes through multiple artisans for designing, block printing, embroidery and washing. |
Washed to Reveal the Final Design | The fabric is washed only after the embroidery is done, revealing the final intricate details, which may not be fully visible during stitching. |
Floral & Mughal Inspirations | Traditional motifs are heavily inspired by Mughal architecture, flora and Persian art, featuring vines, paisleys and flowers. |
Geographical Indication (GI) Tag | Authentic Lucknow Chikankari has a GI tag, protecting its traditional techniques from mass machine-made imitations. |
Over 500 Years of Tradition | Despite modern adaptations, the art form has been practised continuously for over five centuries, making it one of India's oldest embroidery styles. |
Combination of Stitches & Shadow Work | Chikankari combines raised stitches, flat stitches and shadow work, creating a unique three-dimensional effect. |
Natural Dye Usage | Traditionally, only natural dyes were used, with pastel shades being the most common due to their soft, elegant look. |
Economic Backbone for Women Artisans | Chikankari is a major source of livelihood for thousands of women artisans in rural Uttar Pradesh. |
Breathable & Weather-Friendly | The lightweight fabric and delicate embroidery make Chikankari perfect for hot, humid Indian summers. |
Preserving the Heritage | Despite machine-made alternatives, hand-embroidered Chikankari is still highly valued for its craftsmanship and cultural significance. |