EXECUTIVE SUMMERY CHIKANKARI

Chikankari
Chikankari is a fine and intricate shadow-work type of embroidery done by white yarn on colorless
muslins called tanzeb (tan meaning body and zeb meaning decoration). The word 'Chikankari' according
to one school of thought appears to have had its origin in Persia, being derivative of chakin or chakeen.
It may also be a distorted form of the work chikeen or siquin, a coin valued at Rs. 4 for which the
embroidery was sold. Another explanation ascribes its origin to East Bengal where the word Chikankari
meant 'fine'.
ti The earliest reference in literature to Chikankari dates back to the 3rd century B.C. In his records
Megasthenes, a Greek traveler, had mentioned the use of flowered muslins by the Indians. 420 Folklore
attributes the origin of Chikankari to various sources. It is believed by many craftsmen that a traveler
while passing through a village near Lucknow asked for
ott water from a poor peasant. Pleased with his hospitality, the traveler taught him the art of Chikankari
that would never allow him to go hungry. The craftsmen believe that the traveller was a prophet.
Another story imputes its origin to Queen Noor Jehan, who inspired by Turkish embroidery, introduced
this needlework. The origin of this craft is also ascribed to the harem's of Avadh's Nawab where a
seamstress
CIO from Murshidabad embroidered a cap for the Nawab to please him. Jealous of the Er attention she
received from the king, other inmates of the harem followed her and thus the art of Chikankari was
evolved.
LUCKNOW
Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh is situated 123 Mts. above sea level. It is situated on 26.30 &
27.10 North latitude and 80.30 & 81.13 East longitude. Lucknow covers an area of 2528 sq. km. It is
surrounded on the eastern side by District Barabanki, on the western side by district Unnao, on the
southern side by Raebareli
And on the northern side by Sitapur and Hardoi districts. Sai river flows from the south of the city and in
the east enters district Raebareli. - STRATEGY FOR INTERVENTION 3 Formation of Artisan guilds and
Women SHG units in the villages. These units D- will be empowered through awareness generation,
training and exposure visits. The capacity of the networks and institutions will be built through this
process.
Other NGOs/ Institutions/ Cooperatives etc. working in this Sector within the cluster will also be
involved for networks and capacity building. ) DSR_Luclulowi Chikankari Cluster 2 Shilp Sadhana
)