Gold and silver! heavenly metals on earth, from time immemorial have been used by the mankind for embellishment, luxury, wealth and supremacy. Zar meant gold and dozi embroidery in Persian and so became zardozi the embroidery of pure gold and silver. Zardozi an enchanting artistry of fancy and elaborate designs and skilful hands of zardoz (local terminology for zardozi artisans) further embellished with precious and semi precious stones, drew inspiration from nature, flower, birds and animals. Its earliest mentions are in Vedic literature later Mughals adorned zardozi and popularised it. It was used for royal emblems, accessories and tapestries for the royalties. Originally the process is known as kalabatun, silk wrapped in pure gold and silver wire. Now the threads used in zardozi...
If you have an affinity for hand embroideries then the meticulous work of Chikankari is going to steal your heart. There are various notions about how Chikankari originated and became popular, one of them states that the word chikeen means creating delicate patterns on fabrics. This mesmerizing embroidery was done earlier with white yarn and colourless muslins known as tanjeb. Nawabs of Awadh known for their tehjeeb and najakat would navigate harsh summers of northern plains using this piece of work which is pleasant in texture and eyes, yet fit for royalty and from there Chikankari took over royal wardrobes. The mughal style dreamy marble windows carved with curvy bels(creepers) which allows light to makes it's way through , became an inspiration for jaals and butas. These are intricately worked all over with an effect...
