Lucknow the city of nawabs

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah – Patronized the Chikan work among artisans of Lucknow

Karigars of chikankari

Young and oldThe work skill is transferred through generations. Young and old work together and knowledge is passed on!

Working togetherIt takes months to ready one saari so together women pitch in and complete the work.

Work on addaMen usually work on addas.zardozi work is being combined with chikan on this designer pure chiffon red saari with green border.

Motifs to be doneNotice how intricate is the design which when finished with chikankari will be work of art !

Shadow work on a saari

Hand embroidery being done.notice how painstaking the job will be to finish all that is yet to be done!

Chiffon dressmaterialYellow and white threads on black chiffon.

Shadow work on bluePink and white threads are used to make this beautiful kurti .maroon border is added to enhance the look.notice the lovely self coloured sequins work.

kurtis

Stone work on pink kurti Pink thread on black kurti

Tepchi workwhite thread is used to do the neat and beautiful tepchi work.

Kali daar kurti daraz work Back side

Daraz work seen from inside.Shadow work can be seen in the front.

Kairi motif Exquisite chikan work done on red pure chiffon kurti. green colour sequins are added to create magic.notice the keel kanghan work and phanda along with murri and shadow work.

Purple stitched suit.

Crotchet and appliqué work

Gala butiOnly the neck is adorned with chikankari with small butis all over the suit.

SUMMER WEAR.

Those were different styles of this handicraft called chikan kari.Done mostly on cotton and chiffon now also on mixed silk. It is mainly a summer wear because of pastel colors used as base and mostly white thread is used for embroidery.

ChikankariExquisite hand

embroidery