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For
centuries Lucknow has been famous for its various handicraft works.
The Nawabs of Awadh were great patrons of fine arts of which the
most well - known is the exquisite Chikan work.
Chikan is a unique craft involving delicated and artistic hand embroidery
on a variety of textile fabric like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza,
doriya and organdi. There are 36 types of stitches used in chikan
work, of which murri, bakhia, jail, tepchi, tappa, dhum, katao are
widely used to produce exquisite designs. Lucknow has produced many
renowned artisans of chikan work like Ustad Faiyaaz Khan and Hasan
Mirza Saheb.
Apart froim kurtas, sarees, salwar suits, topis, hankeys ad dupattas,
chikan embroidery is being used on new items like table covers,
tray covers, napkins etc. the demand for these exquisite art pieces
is ever increasing both in India and abroad. In Lucknow the main
concentration of chikan work is to be found in the chowk locality
and Daliganj.
Besides chikan work the Zardozi and Kamdani works of Lucknow are
also appreciated far and wide. These hand embroidery works with
gold and silver thread are done on sarees, dupattas, lehengas, cholis,
caps, shoes etc.
From time immemorial Lucknow is known for its jewellery and enamelling
wok. Exquisite silverwares like bowls, tea-sets, salt cellars with
patterns of hunting scenes, snakes and roses are very popular. The
Bidri and Zarbuland silver works of Lucknow find expression on excellent
pieces of huqa farshi, jewel boxes, trays, bowls, cuff-links, cigarette
holders, etc.
Life - like ivory and bone carvings from Lucknow with motifs of
flowers, leaves, creepers, trees, birds and animals are widely appreciated.
The master craftsmen create intricate items like knives, lamp shades,
shirt pins and small toys. Infact the ivory works from this city
continue to find a place at museums and private collections of connoisseurs.
Fine pottery from Lucknow is yet another work of art that has captured
it the imagination of the consumers. The long necked water pitchers
and huqqa farshi are specially popular.
'Attar'(Itr) or perfumes which were introduced in India by the Muslims,
reached a new high in Lucknow. From the 19th century the Lucknow
perfumers experimented and succeeded in making attar with delicated
and lasting fragrances. Created from various aromatic herbs, spices,
sandal oil, musk, essence of flowers, and leaves the famous Lucknowi
fragrances are khus, keora, chameli, zafran and agar.
Apart from perfumes, Lucknowi Paan, Zarda ( chewing tobacco), and
Khamira produced by the local tobacconists are hot favorites among
consumers.
Another craft that has reached a high level of artistry in Lucknow
is Kite making. Although Kite making is popular throughout India,
this activity has attained perfection only in Lucknow. Under Nawabi
patronage this form of art flourished in Lucknow and different types
of kites and flying strings were developed.
Besides these well known craft works, mention must bemade to some
other flourishing crafts like gota weaving, dyening and calico printing,
silver varq making, woodworks and tazia making. Beautiful tazias
of zari, gold and silver paper are made by master craftsmen to ark
the solemn occasion of Moharrum.
All in all, with these multifarious craft specialties Lucknow promises
to be a shoppers delight that's hard to resist. Crafts have provided
employment to thousands, delighted many more and continues to keep
alive the invaluable traditions of a magnificent city
or
centuries Lucknow has been famous for its various handicraft works.
The Nawabs of Awadh were great patrons of fine arts of which the
most well - known is the exquisite Chikan work.
