Lucknow Zardozi

Lucknow Zardozi from lucknow, Uttar Pradesh is basically an elaborate style of hand embroidery. The word ‘zardozi’ has been derived from Persian language, where ‘zar’ means gold while ‘dozi’ means embroidery. This art was brought in India during the 12th century and was made popular through Mughal patronage. The zardozi work in Lucknow can be attributed to its intricacy, elegance and inherent beauty, all emerging from the zeal of the local artisans. The original zardozi embroidery was done using silver and gold threads and was known as ‘kalabatun’. An evolved version of zardozi combined with ‘dabka’ work is said to have emerged in Lucknow. There are numerous materials that a karigar would use to complete a fine piece. Stretching from salma (gold wires), sitara (sequence), beads, precious and semiprecious stones, silk threads; they all enhance to the arty denouement of zardozi.