The embroidery designs in Kashmiri Kurti for girls are inspired from nature, like leaves, birds and flowers, and also conventional motifs such as vines, paisleys and geometric shapes. The embroidery work is handcrafted using a needle and a white cotton thread. The craftsmen specializing in this kind of embroidery are called Karigars and have been working on this art for generations.
Chikankari work is known for its complex detailing, exclusive designs, and unique stitches.
The embroidery is generally done on the sarees, dupattas, salwar kameez, and other conventional Indian attires. It is also used in creating home interior items such as cushion covers, bedspreads, and tablecloths.
Historical importance of Lucknow Chikankari work
Chikankari embroidery is an old craft that has sustained for centuries, with its roots tracing back to the Mughal era.
The roots of Chikankari in Lucknow
Chikankari embroidery was first introduced in Lucknow by Nur jahan, the wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Nur Jahan was known for her lover for arts, and it is believed that she brought proficient craftsmen from Bengal to teach the method of Chikankari embroidery to the women of the Mughal court in Agra, which was the capital of the Mughal Empire at that time.
The Kashmiri dress for girls, whether it is Pandit or Muslim is completely the same. However, there is a difference in the type of jewellery each of them prefers to wear. While most of the women in India wear sarees as their conventional dress, Kashmiri women have a completely different style.
The local women wear the pherans in a much more stylish way. It is not just a winter attire but also age-old customized clothing worn also for very important and special occasion. This is the Kashmiri dress for women that is popular all over the world, although not as much as the pashmina.