Chikankari: The Whitework Floral

On a bleak midwinter night, I boarded the Lucknow Festive Special mail from Chandigarh. Loaded with sanitizers and masks. The next morning at 6 the view from the train had a slight shift and I could see rural housing, villages, small ponds, and wild dogs chasing each other. The scenery change was refreshing. Reaching Lucknow at 8, coming out of the train, I took a deep breath. Looking around the architecture of the station, I could feel the presence of the rich culture and history. The station had low-lying domes, pillars, and the essence of Mughal architecture. 

Then, I set out to Chowk Market, the hub of chikan work in Lucknow. I was in awe of so many shops, small and big selling chikan work. It was difficult to choose which one to visit first. I was completely mesmerized by the fact that craft played such a huge role in the city and so many people have been dependant on the role and the expansion of chikan work. Since Chikan work received the GI mark the status and the expansion of the craft have increased exponentially. Even before the craft was always valued for its exceptional embroidery. As of present times, the presence of craft is worldwide, a lot of designers use the craft with modern variations but still, the essence of craft remains. 

Then, I set out to Kendriya Vidyalaya, to meet the AD of the Dc handicraft office. Where I met, Mr. BK Shrivastav, he has taken alot of artisans in the hardoi village and gives them employment. He also has a training institute under him where he trains women in the art of chikan embroidery. I had the opportunity to visit the institute and meet these women who were professionally trained in chikan work. 

Since my childhood, I have grown up around craft and I understand the value of the work that goes into it. But the level of development I saw in Lucknow, for chikan was beyond something I could imagine. Craft is known to be passed on from generation to generation, but since the awareness amongst youth, and programs by the government, the untapped potential of the craft industry can be seen. The establishment of a professional institute for a craft gives the people who work on the ground level with the craft to develop and give them ideas and inspiration to start something of their own and be not dependant on middlemen. Such initiatives by people who love and understand the craft inspire the craft lover in me. 

After such a mesmerizing day, i went and explored the city, and tried the famous eating joints in Lucknow. The next day with less time in my hand, I rushed to Bara