Textile Hand Embroidery

In textile hand embroidery, embellishment is made on fabric with threads and sometimes with other materials. Various types of hand embroideries are practiced in India. Each type of embroidery is different from the other and has its own beauty and significant value. Cardoza, one of such embroidery, is one the world famous textile hand embroidery craft.

Main clusters: In India there are many popular embroidery clusters such as Chikankari and zardozi of Lucknow, katha of Bengal, fulkari of Punjab, kutchi embroidery of Gujarat and kashidakari of Kashmir.

Cardoza has been traditionally prevalent in Lucknow and the six

Surrounding districts of Barabanki, Unnao, Sitapur, Rae Bareli, Hardoi and Amethi. Lucknow zardozi has been accorded the Geographical Indication (GI) registration.

Artisans involved: The Lucknow zardozi cluster supports an estimated 1.75 lakh artisans.

Around 2 lakh people directly involved in the supply and value chain in the cluster. Further, the Chikankari cluster of Lucknow provides employment to

2.5 lakh people.

Raw material used: Basic materials used for this craft are cotton and silk threads of various colours, mirrors, beads, metal wire, cotton, silk, leather, fish skin, teeth, bones, feathers, horn, shells, beetle wings, tassels, coins.

Raw material used for Chikankari embroidery includes untwisted mill yarn (Muga), silk, crepe, organise, cotton, terry-cotton, chiffon, muslin or Tussar Yarn.