You will concur that modern embroidery can never match the unbeatable accuracy of skilled artists whose work in Chikankari opened their eyes to the world and who live, breathe, and eat nothing but Chikankari. They were born into families that had spent decades perfecting the art of Chikan craftsmanship, a specialty that captivates everyone but is nearly impossible for others to learn or imitate, let alone replicate. Others attempt to act in the same manner as the skilled craftsmen of old, but they utterly fail.
These generations-old and traditional craftspeople can produce quality Chikankari that even the newest computers and cutting-edge software cannot (rather fail to fall even closer to them when it comes to the touch and feel). This art is unique, just like the generations-old craftspeople who are so devoted to what they do that they open their eyes to the world of this craft and close them to world of this art. In this article, we’ll examine what makes Chikankari so unique that it should not be imbibed, but first, let’s consider what this art form actually stands for.
Chikankari is a complex and beautiful form of embroidery. On soft cotton materials, the embroidery design is typically stitched with a thick white cotton thread. Chikankari Kurtas are a must-have because they are delicate, lovely, and culturally rich.
Where it all Began:
Chikankari, sometimes referred to as shadow work, is a craft technique that dates back to the third century BC. The embroidery technique is regarded as one of the oldest embroidery techniques and has its origins in Lucknow, the City of Nawabs. The literal meaning of the word “Chikan” is embroidery. The Mughal emperor Jahangir’s wife, Nur Jehan, is said to be responsible for making Chikankari fashionable in India. Nobles from Persia who frequently visited the Mughal courts brought it.
The Technique :
Chikankari has more than 30 stitches, which can be generally categorized as Raised/Embossed stitches, flat stitches, and open trellis stitches. This type of intricate embroidery typically uses designs inspired by Mughal architectural themes.
The Way to Perfection:
Chikankari is a straightforward two-step method that starts with engraving the desired design on a wooden block stamp. The fabric is then trimmed into the desired form and size after the design has been block printed using traditional indigo and safeda dyes. The second stage entails arranging the fabric in a frame in small pieces to perform the embroidery. The time it takes to complete a chikan garment might range from 20 days to six months.
The Current Position:
Lighter fabrics are typically used for Chikan work to emphasize the needlework. Due to its texture making it simpler for needles to pierce through, only a select few fabrics can be utilized, including cotton, pure Georgette, chiffon, silk, and crepe. Initially, white thread was used to embroider the materials, but as styles and trends changed, colored threads started to be employed.
