Chikankari embroidery
Razia Begum
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 4.8 (167)Est. 2014
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Her story
Shadow-work so fine it seems to breathe.
In a sunlit haveli in old Lucknow, Razia translates the city's poetry into thread. Her chikankari is prized for its phanda and jaali stitches — invisible knots that take years to master.
Her workshop trains young women from the neighbourhood, paying fair wages in a craft long undervalued.
Heritage
Chikankari, said to have been introduced by Empress Nur Jahan, is Lucknow's 400-year-old white-on-white embroidery tradition.
Video introduction
Her impact
22+
Women employed
1,100+
Garments yearly
18+
Years of practice
The crafting process
Patience, by hand.
- 01
Block printing
The design stamped onto fabric with washable blue dye.
- 02
Embroidery
Up to 36 distinct stitches worked entirely by hand.
- 03
Washing
The blue print washed away, leaving only the white relief.
Inside the workshop
