Bhai

rvis

Chi

kan

“This is the journey of the white thread culminating into a product that spells sheer ecstasy.” Bhairvis Chikan is the story of hundreds of craftswomen, who, without any formal education, have continued the skills that are inherent in their culture. Lucknow, India, where the women call home, is the epicenter for chikankari embroidery. Much of the knowledge of how to produce this art was lost in the second half of the 20th century.

Bhairvis Chikan, started in 1998, has not only revived the craft but also changed the lives of the women in this region. Approximately 340 women are engaged in the embroidery process. The designs are then printed on hand woven fabric using wooden printing blocks and brought to life with the help of the 36 stitches. These craftswomen use their earnings in multiple ways, which include sending their daughters to school, paying for their families’ medical expenses, and installing hand pumps in their homes. In demonstrating such self-sufficiency, they have acquired both respect and understanding from their communicating.

CONTAC T INFORMATION:

Mamta VarmaCOMPANY: Bhairvis ChikanCOUNTRY: IndiaEMAIL: whitethread98@gmail.comWEBSITE: www.bhairvischikan.com

PRESENTED BY DALLAS MARKET CENTER