Chikankari sarees or more broadly speaking, Chikankari as an embroidery style find its roots in the once quaint lanes of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This intricate embroidery style pays homage to the bounty of nature in the form of flowers, leaves, stems, and petals as its main art form. It is a hand-sewn fabric that can be used to make dupattas, Anarkalis, kurtas, and even sarees. You can even find it in different base fabric colours such as white, pastels, and bold colours. With the right care and love, you can keep wearing your Chikankari sarees for years to come.
The Legacy Of Chikankari Sarees
Chikankari as an art form was passed down to Indians after the Persians visited the country for trade. Thus, the word Chikankari is made of two borrowed words, embroidery ‘chikan’ and work ‘kari’, a common style found in the Mughal culture as well. The royal families used to decorate their homes – cushion covers, curtains, and bedspreads with Chikankari fabrics to add a regal appeal to their rooms. You know a fabric and embroidery style is worth the buy when the royal families invest in them. Although Chikankari was a niche craft style, today you will find several artisans putting in their time and effort to create these intricate pieces that make their way to international markets as well, creating a place for Indian craftsmanship worldwide.
Different Styles Of Chikankari Sarees
Chikankari sarees can be found in different styles and variations with respect to the different base fabrics, colours, and motif styles, let’s look at what are the different options at our disposal.
- Different Fabrics Of Chikankari Sarees
Although Chikankari as a threadwork is done using cotton threads, you can choose what fabric to create these patterns depending on the weather and occasion. You can choose a cotton Chikankari saree that is ideal for everyday casual and formal occasions, they are subtle, lightweight, and elegant. You can also opt for georgette Chikankari sarees that are super comfortable, featherlight, and well-fitting and hug your body to reveal your natural silhouette. Chikankari sarees are also available on a silk fabric that offers a regal look with a sophisticated water-like feel combined with heavy thread work.
- Popular Chikankari Saree Colours
Chikankari sarees are mostly found in monochrome colours where the base saree and the embroidery are done with the same colour and fabric, white coloured Chikankari sarees are top-tier among these. The next most common colour combination is a brightly-coloured base with white embroidery, followed by pastel-coloured fabrics with white threaded work. You can also find colourful threadwork on white fabrics but they are very rare to find.
- Authentic Chikankari Saree Motifs
Although there are several modern Chikankari patterns available, the original Chikankari work included motifs inspired by nature such as flowers, petals, leaves, roots, stems, and more. Other common motifs were paisleys, peacock feathers, butis, jhaal, and certain abstract designs.
- Various Ways To Style A Chikankari Saree
Wear traditional Indian jewellery, such as necklaces, bangles, and jhumkas, with your Chikankari saree. To highlight your saree and jewellery, choose easy hairstyles like a bun or braid that don’t take away from the elegance of the saree. Wear your Chikankari saree with bold accessories like earrings or a purse for more if you are looking to create a contemporary style. To achieve a distinctive look, try experimenting with different draping styles, such as Bengali, Gujarati, or Maharashtrian fashions apart from the traditional draping style.
How To Take Care Of Chikankari Sarees
Because Chikankari sarees are delicate, you might need to give extra care to make sure they last for several years. Here are some tips from expert drapes and saree enthusiasts on how to maintain your Chikankari saree:
- To keep your Chikankari saree’s beautiful needlework intact, always dry clean it and never machine-wash it as it can rip the threads apart.
- To protect against mildew, bugs, and moisture damage, keep your Chikankari saree in a cool, dry location, preferably away from sunlight as the embroidery on your Chikankari saree may fade and become damaged if you expose it to the sunlight.
- Don’t iron your Chikankari saree directly over the embroidery; instead, use a low heat setting, or place a cotton cloth over the saree to protect it from thermal damage.
Parting Thoughts
Chikankari saree is a stunning and traditional Indian fabric that has been in style for generations. Chikankari sarees are ideal for festivals, weddings, and other special events because of their delicate textiles and elaborate embroidery designs. Everybody can find a Chikankari saree they like, whether they like a traditional white-on-white style or one with a striking and vivid design with bright or pastel colours. You can make sure your Chikankari saree lasts for many years by taking care of it the right way. Make sure to not machine wash, iron, or keep it in sunlit places.
