001. Lucknow Chikan Craft

Chikan Craft is a delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments and it is one of Lucknow's best known textile decoration styles.

About 40 different stitches are used for Lucknow Chikan craft. These are unique in its discipline i.e. each stitch is used for one purpose only. Chikan craft includes some simple and complex stitches giving it an effect, which is simple, gentle and delicate. The word “Chikan” steps from a Persian word derived from the Chic, which referred to the “jali” work done on marble or wood.

The process of Chikankari undergoes five different stages, namely cutting, stitching, printing, embroidery, washing and finishing. The most common motif used is that of a creeper. Individual floral motifs may embellish the entire garment or just one corner. Among the floral motifs embroidered, the jasmine, rose, flowering stems, lotus and the paisley motif are the most popular.

Traditional Chikan Craft was embroidered on Muslin with a white thread. Gradually the work was started being done on other fabrics like Organdie, Mulmul, Tanzeeb, Cotton and Silk. Presently all types of fabrics, namely Voil, Chiffon, Lenin, Rubia, Khadi Handloom Cloth, Terry Cotton, Polyester, Georgette, Terry voil etc, are used in Chikan Craft. 

GI Tag Registration Date         : 02 December 2008

GI Tag Number                         : 119

Certificate Number                  : 102

Geographical Area                  : Uttar Pradesh

Special Cover Release Date   : 07 March 2014

Cancellation                             : Lucknow 226 006

Type                                          : Special Cover

Few other Special covers related to Lucknow Chikan Craft is given below, not an exhaustive list but only items from my collection.

Special Cover Issued on 01 March 2003, Cancelled at Lucknow 226 001

Special Cover Issued on 07 March 2014, Cancelled at Lucknow 226 006

This cover has a small replica of Chikan Craft Embroidery

ODOP Special Cover Issued on 29 September 2021, Cancelled at Lucknow 226 001

Postage Stamp issued by India Post on Lucknow Chikan Craft is furnished below:

Sheetlet with 16 Stamps Issued on 19 December 2019

Embroideries of India

Enlarged View of Stamp