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Neat Embroidery from the land of Tehzeeb - Chickankari

We can find chickankari in the land of tehzeed. In the literal sense, chickan means embroidery.  One of the ancient styles of Lucknow. The main essence of the garment is simple, Classy, and comfortable feel. Motifs are added to make the garment look rich. The fabric nonetheless remains affordable and simple.

Origin
The reference of the art have found in the 3rd century BC with megasthenes mentioning the use of flowered muslin by the Indians.
 Chicken embroidery is a delicate embroidery style that is known to reintroduced by the Mughal emperor jahangir’s wife nurjahan.
Started as white on white embroidery from back in the days, the favored fabric was muslin as it is good in warm weather. After the downfall of Mughal, the chickankari artist spread around India. But Lucknow is the hub of the chickan work.

Style
 The woman who chose to exhibit taste Which comes inevitable with the complication of the stitches and pattern of chickan work.
Sustainable for both daily wear and special occasions,  you can make salient style statement when ever you wear chickan sarees to suits, lehengas to palazzo and many more.

Process
The technique of Lucknow chickan work is divided in two parts – the pre and post preparation stages.
Pre work involves choosing of design and carved the design on the Neel and safeda dyes then design is block printed on the cloth. Then the cloth is cut according to the dress pattern.
Now, the fabric is set in a small partition and needle work starts on the ink pattern depends upon the region stitching type is used. The type and size of motifs are also taken in counts. Few of the most used stitches  in chickan work are back stitch, chainstitch, and hemstitch.
 The finished garment then wash to remove all the traces of ink.  Before being ready for commercial sale.

Motifs and colors
The most favorite patterns in the chickankari is floral. As the Persian influence, Flowers with stems, booty and leaves amplified in the design. Other motifs include embellishment like mukaish, kamdani, badla and spupin, bead and mirror work, all this gives richer look to simple embroidery work.
Chickankari has now added on colors, The changes to put on the modern trends But the classic white is the hot catcher. While white does rule, it’s not surprising to see colorful silk threads tracing the motifs making the fabric multipurpose in nature.

Products
The lightweight fabric make the work easier as well stand out the fabric like silk, chiffon, cotton, net, and organza.
The work is found on the range of fabrics for men and women clothing range and even a range of accessories and home decor.
 Present day scenario
 At traditional fabric from religious gathering and festival chickankari embroidery Found its way to ramp and glamorous designers for the upliftment of the embroidery.
Even Indian actresses to Indian Indian movies, not even that Hollywood celebrities to Hollywood Film, the embroidery is heart throb and it is The face of Indian heritage.
 Careguide
 Lucknow chickankari did not need any special care. It is highly dependent upon the fabric of the garment. Silk garment needs dry cleaning while cotton can be hand washed.

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