Beautiful Mukaish Kurta Fabric on Leheriya, accompanied by a dupatta to make one of a kind set that harks to the antique Awadhi Couture style, when ladies of the erstwhile royal kingdom, wore Leheriya adorned with Mukaish embroidery! This piece however has travelled to 3 Indian states to complete its journey
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Mukaish Hand Embroidery in Honeycomb pattern following all processes from 'kadhai' (embroidery) to 'ghutaai' (rubbing of embroidery using glass bottle to set it) done by artisan cluster of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Leheriya hand resist tie & dye done by artisan cluster of Rajasthan.
Handloom Chanderi fabric woven by weaver cluster in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh.
Re creation of an archival style of Craft Confluence, prevalent in Nawab Era.
KHAYAL (mood-board): The Honeycomb reflects nature's best lesson of Singularity Pattern - there is always a loop left open from where the possibility to Re-Start exists!! Isn't that thought reflective of Human Power of Resilience? The Hive Mind. The Collective Consciousness. When done on the Leheriya pattern, that denotes Sands of Time, it creates a profound wearable art, and one that was very much worn in late 17th Century too!
POSHAAK (about the garment): The Kurta fabric is Leheriya pattern in beautiful hues of Lime Green. On top of this, honeycomb pattern Mukaish embroidery has been done, that enhances the beauty of this artisanal fabric. The dupatta is plain Chanderi with Mukaish in Lime Green, to help break the monotony and keep the attention on the tunic.
We will stitch the kurta for you, if you desire.
NOTE: STITCHING OF KURTA IS COMPLIMENTARY. We will stitch straight Kurta only with allover soft high quality cotton lining & in our set Kurta Style (Please check Flax Cotton Chikankari Kurta to see style of stitching only). You can also opt for Fabric Only. Mention your size as per uploaded size chart in the Checkout note.
IMP: The fabric is hand tied & dyed Leheriya, hence the colour will be non uniform. That is the nature and the charm of the craft. The dupatta will be closest match, as that is single dyed and not Leheriya. This is the unique charm of an artisanal piece.
Beautiful Mukaish Kurta Fabric on Leheriya, accompanied by a dupatta to make one of a kind set that harks to the antique Awadhi Couture style, when ladies of the erstwhile royal kingdom, wore Leheriya adorned with Mukaish embroidery! This piece however has travelled to 3 Indian states to complete its journey
(Please note that the Grey will have tones of Blue also in it. This is the nature of Leheriya craft. In different lights it looks slightly different with Grey & Blue interplaying)
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Mukaish Hand Embroidery in Honeycomb pattern following all processes from 'kadhai' (embroidery) to 'ghutaai' (rubbing of embroidery using glass bottle to set it) done by artisan cluster of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Leheriya hand resist tie & dye done by artisan cluster of Rajasthan.
Handloom Chanderi fabric woven by weaver cluster in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh.
Re creation of an archival style of Craft Confluence, prevalent in Nawab Era.
KHAYAL (mood-board): The Honeycomb reflects nature's best lesson of Singularity Pattern - there is always a loop left open from where the possibility to Re-Start exists!! Isn't that thought reflective of Human Power of Resilience? The Hive Mind. The Collective Consciousness. When done on the Leheriya pattern, that denotes Sands of Time, it creates a profound wearable art, and one that was very much worn in late 17th Century too!
POSHAAK (about the garment): The Kurta fabric is Leheriya pattern in beautiful hues of Grey with Blue undertones. On top of this, honeycomb pattern Mukaish embroidery has been done, that enhances the beauty of this artisanal fabric. The dupatta is plain Chanderi with Mukaish in dark Monsoon Cloud Grey, to help break the monotony and keep the attention on the tunic.
We will stitch the kurta for you, if you desire.
NOTE: STITCHING OF KURTA IS COMPLIMENTARY. We will stitch straight Kurta only with allover soft high quality cotton lining & in our set Kurta Style (Please check Flax Cotton Chikankari Kurta to see style of stitching only). You can also opt for Fabric Only. Mention your size as per uploaded size chart in the Checkout note.
IMP: The fabric is hand tied & dyed Leheriya, hence the colour will be non uniform. That is the nature and the charm of the craft. The dupatta will be closest match, as that is single dyed and not Leheriya. This is the unique charm of an artisanal piece.
Beautiful Mukaish Kurta Fabric on Leheriya, accompanied by a dupatta to make one of a kind set that harks to the antique Awadhi Couture style, when ladies of the erstwhile royal kingdom, wore Leheriya adorned with Mukaish embroidery! This piece however has travelled to 3 Indian states to complete its journey
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Mukaish Hand Embroidery in Honeycomb pattern following all processes from 'kadhai' (embroidery) to 'ghutaai' (rubbing of embroidery using glass bottle to set it) done by artisan cluster of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Leheriya hand resist tie & dye done by artisan cluster of Rajasthan.
Handloom Chanderi fabric woven by weaver cluster in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh.
Re creation of an archival style of Craft Confluence, prevalent in Nawab Era.
KHAYAL (mood-board): The Honeycomb reflects nature's best lesson of Singularity Pattern - there is always a loop left open from where the possibility to Re-Start exists!! Isn't that thought reflective of Human Power of Resilience? The Hive Mind. The Collective Consciousness. When done on the Leheriya pattern, that denotes Sands of Time, it creates a profound wearable art, and one that was very much worn in late 17th Century too!
POSHAAK (about the garment): The Kurta fabric is Leheriya pattern in beautiful hues of Orange. On top of this, honeycomb pattern Mukaish embroidery has been done, that enhances the beauty of this artisanal fabric. The dupatta is plain Chanderi with Mukaish in Orange, to help break the monotony and keep the attention on the tunic.
We will stitch the kurta for you, if you desire.
NOTE: STITCHING OF KURTA IS COMPLIMENTARY. We will stitch straight Kurta only with allover soft high quality cotton lining & in our set Kurta Style (Please check Flax Cotton Chikankari Kurta to see style of stitching only). You can also opt for Fabric Only. Mention your size as per uploaded size chart in the Checkout note.
IMP: The fabric is hand tied & dyed Leheriya, hence the colour will be non uniform. That is the nature and the charm of the craft. The dupatta will be closest match, as that is single dyed and not Leheriya. This is the unique charm of an artisanal piece.
Golden Trellis is our heirloom collection of Mukaish work that was historically done once upon a time in Awadh region, but is not done any more. Golden Trellis is a result of, one of the many research projects we are working upon simultaneously. We know some might not see light of the day (although we firmly believe that everything can be revived if we just have the right patience and the will to keep going), some will prove to be false tales - a mirage of a narrative built for dramatic value and nothing more...but some, like Golden Trellis will be a reality that can be translated to fabric yet again, even if in a small way, or a shadow of its one time glory...at least there will be a start.
Golden Trellis is part of the Art & Antiquities Project undertaken by Meiraas.The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Heritage Mukaish work re created: This work is known as Gukhru work. It has not been done in India or is extremely rarely done anymore. This is overlapping mesh Jaali work done in Mukaish. Its karigars are not alive now, and some of the karigars who learnt this art do not work in India. This was re created when one of them came on a small visit to his family in India. He has taught some amount of work to our small group of artisans in Lucknow. This work was historically done in Lucknow only. What can be better sustainability than finding out a lost artwork in a craft & helping revive it again to wearable pieces, & most importantly in pieces that can be part of today's Heritage Builders' private collection; this will ensure the craft's continued sustainability.
Mukaish Hand Embroidery with proper "ghutaai" - this means Mukaish embroidery has been rubbed using old technique of filling pebbles in a bottle and rubbing on the embroidery, instead of new age roller press method. This one method ensures long lasting Mukaish. In itself Mukaish is more sustainable craft that sequins or "salma sitaara" embroidery, as Mukaish never comes off, maintaining the look of the garment for much longer time.
KHAYAL (moodboard): Poetry etched in fabric, Golden Trellis alludes to the once opulent courts of the ancient royalties of India. Trellis is the jaali like window pattern, a signature architecture in heritage monuments of the Golden Era. This museum quality piece of legacy bound, wearable art will a pride for any one who owns it.
POSHAAK (about the dupatta): Pure Organza Silk Dupatta embroidered beautifully with the rare & precious Golden Kairi (Paisley). This is a very complex embroidery where Mukaish wires are embroidered one on top of another to make a mesh trellis patten & is then interlocked within a ring. The back of this dupatta (3rd image) leaves the onlooker startled with the dexterity that would have been employed. It is like "weaving" embroidery within the fabric! Even in this miniature motif, the craftsmanship is unbelievable. A historic dupatta, that will always be the pride of the owner & will remain as part of handpicked private collection.
This product is Ready To Ship. Please see Time in Dispatch for more details.
A stunning Resham Chikankari dupatta on softest cotton fabric with Meiraas Exclusive Bisaat motif featuring Nawab Era chess pieces.
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Meiraas Exclusive Bisaat Chess motifs researched from Nawab era chess.
Resham Chikankari Hand Embroidery
2 Motif fusion pattern all over the dupatta.
KHAYAL (moodboard):
The Power of the Next Move!!
Taking inspiration from celebrated Indian author, Munshi Premchand's story, Shatranj Ke Khiladi, we created Bisaat. Celebrated Indian Filmmaker, Satyajit Ray, also made a classic adaptation of this story in 1977. Bisaat or the chessboard was the biggest conversation starter in Awadh; this past legacy has been recreated on this showstopper dupatta.
Painstaking research work was done to recreate these motif that you can read here FalaknumaPOSHAAK (about the garment): Red & Black motifs of Chess stand boldly against the butter white backdrop of the Dupatta - Power of Silence.
Stitches like Orma, Keel, Kangan, Ghaspatti, etc bring to life these evocative motifs that recall the past glory this Game of Chess in the homes of Lucknow aristocracy.
Best paired with Bisaat Power of Silence Chikankari Kurta
The first design of our signature Falaknuma motif are these sarees. Showcased in some premium shows like Red Earth Saree Festival, Dastkar, Sanatkada, Ficci Flo & SAARC event, this saree was the game changer in bringing back stories & concepts in Chikankari Craft as an ode to Lucknow. After the debut of this concept, designers in Chikankari started exploring motifs beyond floral art. The saree was first videographed on Isha Priya Singh (@desidrapes on IG) in June, 2018 at the gorgeous Lebua, Lucknow. Isha ji participated in the video purely as a goodwill gesture.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
HANDLOOM CHANDERI WITH DIFFERENT COMPOSITION IN THE LOOM - this composition & style of weaving has made this Chanderi weave gossamer in feel & absolutely fantastic, unlike the Chanderi that is generally woven. It is our specialized weave. Let us call this FALAKNUMA CHANDERI by MEIRAAS.
UNIQUE WEAVE COMMISSIONED BY MEIRAAS - explained above
UNIQUE MEIRAAS BLOCKS - Art created from scratch. Motif Blocks drawn & chiseled by hand in ancient style. This gives more challenging & creative work to Block Artisans, who were being eliminated by many designers in favour of digital tracing.
RESHAM CHIKANKARI (HAND EMBROIDERY PRACTISED SINCE ANCIENT AGE)
Khayal (moodboard):
NAWABI SHAUK - The Slow Hobbies of Nawab Royalty
Kite Flying & Rooster Matches were some of the prominent hobbies of Nawabi Royalty. Kite Flying is also a beautiful ritual that celebrated the different faiths presiding in one city of Lucknow, thus a harmonious & binding activity.
Celebrated Indian Filmmaker, Satyajit Ray, in his 1977 classic "Shatranj Ke Khiladi", romanced the By-lanes of Lucknow & these slow civil rituals.
POSHAAK (about the dress):
This 3 D art saree is feather light & has a powder blue base with gold pure tested zari detailing on either side of the width of the saree. The embroidery is done using 2-3 colours; in this the fighting roosters were the toughest to create. The artwork had to look realistic, yet something that could be created successfully in Chikankari. The colours used to make the Roosters are the actual colours of "desi murga" or indigenous roosters of India. Multiple brainstorming sessions with artisans made this art of Rooster Fighting & Kite Flying come alive on the saree.
The moment of reckoning was when the son of the lead artisan, who was indifferent to the craft, beamed on seeing the saree.
The embroidery is till the end of the saree.
Styling Tip: This is a saree you treasure & hand down generation to generation. Wear it for day wedding functions, small intimate gatherings, in office, or when you want to dress up & listen to old vintage songs!! The possibilities are endless with a classic.
Meiraas Bestseller Chikankari design since its first launch in 2018, the Power of Silence, Patta Patta Boota Boota motif has been one of our most requested motifs. After being one of our Bestseller designs on a Kurta, this motif now gets a Saree of its own. This signature saree of Meiraas is one piece only and Ready To Ship, and can subsequently be Made on Order in various colours as well.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
1. Skilled Hand Embroidery on absolutely novel motif art.
2. Exclusive Patta Patta Boota Boota Meiraas motifs carved following all processes.
3. Handloom Chanderi.
4. Conceptual Chikankari work, that might someday be housed in a museum of crafts, or a well researched coffee table book.
KHAYAL (Mood-board):
Patta Patta Boota Boota is a poem by Mir Taqi Mir, a celebrated poet of both Delhi School of Poetry and Lucknow School of Poetry. His beautiful poem is the Khayal or inspiration to name this Boota that finds itself as part of Murals in all Rajasthani, Luckhnavi, Delhi art from the 15th Century onwards or maybe even later. This motif of Chikankari is an exclusive design of Meiraas launched in 2018.
POSHAAK (About the garment):
The Patta Boota motif is adorned on the palla of this beautiful Lilac saree. The saree has 2 different floral miniature bootis running on the palla and the body.
The embroidery is further enhanced with stars of Mukaish. Stitches like Orma, Ghaspatti, Shadow, Zanjeera, Rahet, etc have been used to bring alive the motifs. The lovely lilac colour is soothing, elegant and yet unique in its own way.
The saree is further adorned with same colour handmade fabric tassles in Handloom Chanderi and tucked with our signature Mother of Pearl buttons.
1 saree is Ready to Ship. After that is sold, the saree will be MADE ON ORDER only & will take 13 weeks approximately to get made & shipped. For colour customisation, please drop in a mail to namaste@meiraas.com
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
- First Brand to launch Chikankari on the most sustainable fabric: Linen
- LINEN WEAVE COMMISSIONED FOR MEIRAAS, THEREFORE FULL QUALITY CONTROL
- RESHAM CHIKANKARI (HAND EMBROIDERY PRACTISED SINCE ANCIENT AGE)
- HAND PICKED ANCIENT ARCHIVED MOTIFS/ NEW OWN CREATED MOTIFS.
KHAYAAL (moodboard):
Yakshi Ra - The Sun Goddess
Yakshi is the Goddess of Love, Passion, Nurturing, Power. Yakshi is the Goddess of Feminine Power. Yakshi Ra (yellow) is our re-imagination of Feminine Power in the place of Sun God - Surya or Ra. Yakshi Ra is the manifestation of Woman as Sun or Sun Goddess, the one that gives life & nurtures with her divine presence. The saree shows Floral Motifs to signify the power of Nature's birth through the energy of Sun.
Yakshi is a celestial nymph mentioned in Ancient Puranic texts and epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat. The khayal to name this collection, Yakshi came with the Temple Art of India, like Khajuraho group of temples; the celestial nymphs are set in stone in the most beautiful expressions in these temples. They have been made with such devotion and aesthetics that one can imagine them coming to life at night, and reliving the days of past glory!!
Linen as a fabric was extensively worn in almost all Ancient Civilisations. In fact some sources suggest the possibility of white on white embroidery being worn in Chandragupta Maurya's court; some ancient texts also talk of the legendary Maharaja Harshvardhan of Kashmir, only wearing White on White embroidered fabric.
POSHAAK (about the saree):
Ra saree has the beautiful floral art motifs running on the palla; In light pastel yellow colour, this looks like resplendent glow of Sun that births life in the form of flowers. The border is a stunning floral bel running through the saree, and the body has small floral bootis scattered all over.
Styling Tip: Like most Meiraas creations, this saree can be dressed up & down for multiple occasions, whether work wear or party wear. It has its own charm in both situations.
Please Note: Slight wrinkles are part of Pure Linen texture. Linen is the most low maintenance fabric. Ideally before draping this saree, take it out and spread it and hang somewhere at least a day before; its wrinkles will smoothen significantly. Mostly it should be worn with slight wrinkles, yet if you wish to iron the dhobi press will be fine, with a cloth on top.
Salmon Pink coloured Handwoven Hand Spun Kosa Cotton fabric has been made beautiful with small flowers of Chikankari embroidered on it. The Chikankari seen here is done in Resham Thread that is rare & looks extremely neat & beautiful. The saree is a perfect wear for corporate office as well as dinner dates.
UNIQUE MEIRAAS BLOCKS - Depicting the favourite leisure activity of Awadhis, Kabootarbaazi or Flight of Pigeons is an ode to the slow life of Lucknow. Art created from scratch. Motif Blocks drawn & chiseled by hand in ancient style. This gives more challenging & creative work to Block Artisans, who were being eliminated by many designers in favour of digital tracing.
RESHAM CHIKANKARI (HAND EMBROIDERY PRACTISED SINCE ANCIENT AGE)
Unique Conceptual Saree
Khayal (moodboard):The beautiful town of Maheshwar weaves the stunning Cotton Silk sarees that were introduced by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar. These sarees are distinguished by their stunning border & palla weaving that is inspired by the city of Maheashwar (the fort mainly), and the Narmada river.When I had conceptualised making Chikankari on these sarees, the very thought of Maheshwari weaving paying an homage to their town was my central moodboard. Therefore, I wanted the unique inspiration of Lucknow & Awadh to be represented on these sarees. The Khayal of Awadh meeting the Song of Maheshwar!! - Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Design, MeiraasPOSHAAK (about the dress):
This beautiful darker Pink saree has a stunning Blue striped Palla with typical Maheshwari borders. The palla has beautiful Blue wildflowers embroidered in resham thread, that makes the saree look stunning. Just above the palla we have our signature & exclusive Kabootarbaazi - A Flight of Pigeons & more scattered flowers on the rest of the saree!! A one of a kind collector's piece
Important: The saree has no tassles as visible in 1st image. The model image that has tassles on saree was the first such saree made. Rest of the saree is completely identical.
Styling Tip: This rare saree is perfect for wedding day functions, festive occasions & even formal office parties. They can also be worn as formal wear to important meetings.
Pink Green Maheshwari Saree with Woven Border details and Chikankari Embroidery done in Resham Taar. The Paisley Motif used here is almost 200 plus years old. A rich slice of history.
KHAYAL (moodboard): A Tale of two Dynasties
Maheshwar & Awadh come together to tell each other the stories of their glorious past & their surviving present!! The Maheshwari Sarees are woven taking inspiration from the city of Maheshwar and Narmada River. Each border & palla motifs are woven as an homage to this historic city!! Hoe beautiful would it be if Awadh also came on board to tell its stories by motifs inspired by its own essence. The Khayal is a marriage of two beautiful ideologies & their rich crafts.
POSHAAK (about the saree):
A beautiful woven Resham Border inspired by Maheshwar Fort adorns this cheerful Pink & Green beauty on which we have got Paisley Chikankari Motif embroidered that is 200 plus years old!! The embroidery is statement like with two motifs on either side of Palla width & then small floral motifs on the Palla. These small motifs get sparse as we enter the body of the saree. This ensures that either Art is not engulfing the other & both stand out symbiotically.
Imp:
1.)Please see model images for closest saree colour
2.)The saree has no tassles as visible in 1st image. The model image that has tassles on saree was the first such saree made. Rest of the saree is completely identical.
The very first CONCEPT SAREE in Chikankari. This saree has Rumi Darwaza and sacred Fish Motifs of Awadh, all originally crafted by Meiraas.
UNIQUE MEIRAAS BLOCKS - Art created from scratch. Motif Blocks drawn & chiseled by hand in ancient style. This gives more challenging & creative work to Block Artisans, who were being eliminated by many designers in favour of digital tracing.
RESHAM CHIKANKARI (HAND EMBROIDERY PRACTISED SINCE ANCIENT AGE)
Khayal (moodboard):
Built by Nawab Asaf Ud Daulah, the Rumi Darwaza, is the architectural leitmotif of Lucknow city. While the Darwaza is based on Turkey's Sublime Porte, our Rumi is much more magnificent & imposing as a structure, due to the skilled Indian "shilpkaars" that have perfected the art of astonishing monuments & mega structures since India's millenia old history.
Today, Rumi Darwaza, stands like an old King on beautifully cobbled streets of Lucknow, welcoming & opening the gates to Old City of Lucknow. The Fish Emblem is part of the state seal of UP. Fish is a scared symbol for both Hindus (Matsya Avatar) & Shia community in Lucknow.
POSHAAK (about the dress):
This 3 D art saree is made on Amber Charkha spun & Handwoven soft Cotton, and dyed in Azo Free dyes in soft Lavendar shade.
Depicting the signature architectural brilliance of Lucknow, this saree has Chikankari motifs of Rumi Darwaza & Fish Emblem of Nawabs. A conversation starter & showstopper saree by Meiraas, this is a true collector's delight.
We know you love to wait for Meiraas creations, but some situations require you to reach out to us for pieces that are Ready to be Shipped. For the ease of our patrons, we are compiling them in this section.