Chikan Embroidery

The word Chikan derives its name from the Persian word, Chakeen, meaning rendering of delicate patterns on fabric. The Chikan work of Lucknow is perhaps one of the most popular embroidery works in India. It has a certain grace and elegance, which ensures that it never goes out of style. The ‘chikankari’ is believed to be introduced in the seventeenth century by Noorjehan (the beautiful wife of Mughal emperor Jehangir). Some designs and patterns still exist that are believed to be queen's personal creations

Chikan embroidery is a very laborious and time-consuming task (The craftsmen are trained for 15 to 20 years and sometimes it takes 10 to 15 days to make an outfit with hand embroidery as they fill in the designs with threads with detail work. The stitches used include double back stitch and pulled work, as well as running and back stitch. The intricacy and the patterns remind you of the fine marble carvings and jalis. (lattice) seen in the ancient architecture of India, such as Taj Mahal