Chikankari: Unveiling the Rich Legacy
Chikankari, also known as chikan ki Kadai, is a revered traditional embroidery style hailing from the heart of India,
Lucknow. The term "Chikankari" itself translates to 'Embroidery' and stands as one of the oldest and most cherished textile decoration techniques in Lucknow's cultural tapestry. This artistry was introduced to India by Persian nobility, evolving within the Mughal courts, where the exquisite white-on-white embroidery technique found its roots.
The Art of Chikankari
Chikankari craftsmanship finds its canvas on a range of fabrics, including muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net, and more. This hand embroidery is both delicate and artistic, with its origins in using white cotton threads on cool, pastel-hued fabrics. Today, Chikankari has evolved, incorporating colorful cotton and silk threads on fabrics of similar weight, making it a trendy and fashionable choice.
Unveiling the Charm of Chikankari Embroidery
Chikan embroidery predominantly graces delicate fabrics such as cotton, semi-Georgette, pure Georgette, crepe, chiffon, silk, and other lightweight materials that accentuate the embroidery's beauty. The fabric's delicacy is essential, as it must be thin enough for the embroidery needle to pass through. Chikankari further embellishes its designs with Mukaish, Kamdani, Badla, sequins, beads, and mirrors, adding a radiant finish to the artwork.
The Intricate Process of Chikankari
Creating Chikankari involves several meticulous steps. It commences with the selection of a design, followed by block-printing the pattern onto the light fabric. Skilled artisans then meticulously stitch the pattern using fine cotton thread. The final step includes washing the fabric to remove the printed design's color, with the thread's thickness and stitches defining the resulting patterns and effects.
A Palette of Stitches
Chikankari boasts a wide array of embroidery stitches, including backstitch, chain stitch, and hemstitch, creating openwork patterns, jali, and shadow work. Among the 32 different stitches used, some prominent ones are:
Tepchi: This intricate running or darning stitch involves six strands on the fabric's right side, forming a line, serving as the basis for further embroidery. Also known as Taipchi or Tipkhi stitch.
Bakhiya: Also called shadow work, Bakhiya involves embroidering on the reverse side of the fabric, creating a shadow effect on the front.
Hool: A fine detached eyelet stitch that forms the center of a flower motif.
Murri: Used for the center of flower motifs, Murri stitches are typically rice-shaped French knots.
Jali: This stitch ensures that the back of the garment looks as impeccable as the front, with buttonhole stitches worked into the fabric without drawing the thread through.
Discover Chikan Vibes
At Chikan Vibes, we celebrate the timeless art of Chikankari with a modern twist. Our handwoven kurtas feature the exquisite ulti bakhiya and murri stitches, elevating your style quotient. Explore our designer collection of spellbinding Chikankari dupattas in delicate hues like off-white, pastel peach, yellow, sap green, and light coral. Adorned with beautiful floral and keel Kangan motifs, our kurtas and dupattas are designed to complement each other, ensuring you radiate elegance and grace wherever you go.
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