Traditional Potpourri of Chikankari Flat Stitches:Glory of Lucknow

Embroidery adds grace and elegance to the articles of everyday use. Indian embroidery takes its inspiration from nature and the products of various regions reflect the colours of the flora and fauna of that area. Chikankari embroidery is one of the most ancient textile decoration style, crafted in the city of Nawabs, Lucknow. The present investigation made an attempt to study different types of flat stitches used, their variations and different types of embroidery threads used by GOs, NGOs and private enterprises (PEs). All three GOs, and ten NGOs in the list of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Office, Barabanki, Lucknow, and thirty PEs comprising of fifteen enterprises from each of the Aminabad and Chowk market areas were randomly selected for the investigation. The study is based on primary and secondary data collected from the chairpersons/owners of Chikankari organizations/enterprises through interview technique and observational method. Majority of organisations/enterprises were using polyester and mercerised cotton embroidery threads for embroidery. There were fifteen types of flat Chikankari stitches including their variations and styles. Daraz-work was not found to be used by any of the organisations/enterprises.