Lucknow news: Chikankari is derived from the Persian word ‘Chikan’ which translates to embroidery. A traditional and intricate embroidery style, Chikankari’s rich history lies in the lanes of Lucknow and can be traced back to the Mughal era. Chikankari is a delicate art of performing handicraft designs on fabric, predominantly cotton, chiffon, and muslin, involving intricate stitches used to create elegant and visually appealing motifs. Traditionally, Chikankari was done in white thread on white fabric, but in modern times new colour combinations have been introduced. The exquisite embroidery can now be found on various clothing pieces including sarees, kurtas, salwar suits, and curtains.
Japanese pearls, original Swarovski make this wonderful creation
With the introduction of new patterns and styles of designing, many thought that Chikankari, which requires hours of manual work, would perish. However, a recent instance from Lucknow has come to the fore that prove that real art will always find a buyer. Razia Begum, a 55-year-old woman from Lucknow, made a whopping Rs 21 lakh by selling just one Chikankari saree. The georgette saree in the colour white woven with matching thread and tossed with fine ‘Zari’ work, Japanese pearls, and original Swarovski, was handpicked by a Dubai-based woman who recently landed in Lucknow in search of a fine saree for her wedding. The saree was an exhibition piece prepared at the behest of in-house designers.
Beaming with joy and optimism, Razia Begum could not contain her excitement and said that the entire episode was ‘exhilarating’. Our indigenous craft has admirers not just in the city but across borders, she said.
It’s all in the border
The cost of the saree, as we mentioned earlier, is Rs 21 lakh which is equal to that of an SUV or the downpayment of your 3 BHK flat in a posh locality. However, when seen from the perspective of an artist, four women every day spent five hours a day for over 700 days to handcraft the gorgeous piece of clothing. Another feature that stands out in this same is its border which has been exclusively handcrafted by the convent nuns of Bihar.
Up next, there is a saree that has been in the making for over three years. The saree will most likely be put for local and global exhibitions later this year.
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