The Chikan Craft is the transformation of the finest cotton and organdie fabrics into flowing yards of magic by the skillful artistic work of the artisans of Lucknow. The artisans combine thirty-two stitches, five derivatives with their imaginations of faith and natural surroundings, cultural ethos and traditions to shape this wonderful embroidery, which has attracted the attention of world. Patronized by the then Nawabs of Oudh, Moguls, it may be the first artistic work of India participated and awarded in the coronation exhibition held at London in 1911. The uniqueness of the product lies in the different stitches, motifs and the geometrical pattern followed by the artisans in the process of embroidery making. At present, more than 2.5 lakh artisans are making this embroidery on different products like Kurta, pyjama, kameez, shirts, ladies wear, sarees, home furnishings etc. In fact, the art style is unparalleled in its flexibility and versatility and has always permitted experimentation and encouraged innovation.
