This dupatta is Made on Order only.
“There is a dialogue exchange in one of my favourite director, Satyajit Ray's, historical classic based on my city, Lucknow, Shatranj Ke Khiladi. The scene is like this - General Outram (portrayed very effectively by British actor Sir Richard Attenborough), the British appointed Resident at Lucknow, is conversing with a British doctor and legal practitioner, Ferra, on the ways to annex Awadh. During the conversation, General Outram, a true Brit, remarks on the perfume that the Nawab wears, which he calls "extraordinary" in sarcasm, but complains that his uniform reeks of it, even 3 months after the interview with the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Ferra remarks that the perfume is " attar", a Damask Rose Parfum made locally in Awadh. The slight on this fabulous perfume from Awadh was hurtful, yet expected from a character like Outram, who did not understand concepts of Indian aesthetics and was brought up to demean them. My mind however got stuck on Ferra's explanation of "Perfume of Damask Rose". My personal collection of perfumes is only of Ittar from Awadh - Khus, Gulaab, Sandal - being my absolute favourite. I always wanted to incorporate their name into a luxury piece created in Meiraas. So here is presenting a whiff of Damask Rose - The Gulaab Ittar Dupatta ” - Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Creative, Meiraas.
A true museum art piece, the Gulab Ittar dupatta, is an exemplary piece of Luxury Chikankari. Created on supple Handwoven Tussar Silk, the dupatta is dyed in the shade of dark Kaner Gulaab, and embroidered upon with a lovely Coral Pink Orange resham thread.
The highlight of this luxury dupatta is the fantastic Jaali work with Gold Qasab taar (jaali stitch made using zari filament vis a vis thread, which means it is more difficult, rare and time taking to create). The Gulab Ittar Dupatta is finished on either daaman with crochet lace dyed in the same colour. It is a fragrance of true art!!
P.S: Email us at namaste@meiraas.com if you wish to get a Kurta made to go with this dupatta. We will take the discussion forward.
Email us to discuss fabric change of the dupatta.
This is what dreams...rather Technicolour Dreams are made of!! An ethereal soft Mint pure Organza Silk saree, with Lilac Resham Chikankari & Mukaish embroidery. This saree is one piece only and Ready To Ship.The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
1. Skilled Hand Embroidery on absolutely novel motif art in Chikankari.
2. Hand carved motifs carved following all processes.
3. Chikankari work done on intricate, antique motifs, that might someday be housed in a museum of crafts, or a well researched coffee table book.
KHAYAL (Mood-board):
I dream of an Evening in the old city of Lucknow in 1970s-1980s! The trip to Ravindralaya for a much awaited play or cultural performance. A laidback, candlelight dinner afterwards at Clarks Awadh's Falaknuma. How lovely were those immersive evenings of ghazals, the best food, the view of the glittering old city from outside the window, and the company of the most beloved!! From there, a quick trip to a friend's house for a late night baithak, where drinks & coffee were exchanged with a catch up. Every lady flaunting her best saree, as laughter tinkled inside the walls of the kothi.
My Technicolour Dream, is a throwback to those beautiful, slow evenings of Lucknow, that rarely exist now. This was also a time when embroidered sarees worn had to be minimal, and not overwhelming the wearer. The work had to be fine quality, & the saree, a conversation starter.
POSHAAK (About the garment):
My Technicolour Dream saree retains the pastel play hue, that old Lucknow was way too fond of. Be it summers or winters; be it morning or evening, if it is Chikankari, it had to be pastel with neat and clutter feee embroidery & stars of mukaish, just about highlighting the embroidery.
This soft powder Mint green pure Organza Silk saree has an interplay of three beautiful Chikankari motifs all through the saree in a decluttered, neat pattern. The Chikankari is done in Lilac shade, and especially shadow stitch motifs have been used, so that the lilac lends its colour to the mint body to create a Technicolour Dream!
Silver Mukaish has been added on the saree to give it a dreamy fairytale look. The saree is perfection for so many outings, with mere accessory change.
A dreamy and fluid Coral Pink gold Mukaish saree, with Resham Chikankari palla detailing in a conceptual moodboard. This saree is one piece only and Ready To Ship.The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
1. Skilled Hand Embroidery on absolutely novel motif art in Chikankari.
2. Hand carved motifs carved following all processes.
3. Chikankari work done on intricate, antique motifs, that might someday be housed in a museum of crafts, or a well researched coffee table book.
4. Meiraas Exclusive Matsya Chikankari motif used in the palla
KHAYAL (Mood-board):
I dream of an Evening in the old city of Lucknow in 1970s-1980s! The trip to Ravindralaya for a much awaited play or cultural performance. A laidback, candlelight dinner afterwards at Clarks Awadh's Falaknuma. How lovely were those immersive evenings of ghazals, the best food, the view of the glittering old city from outside the window, and the company of the most beloved!! From there, a quick trip to a friend's house for a late night baithak, where drinks & coffee were exchanged with a catch up. Every lady flaunting her best saree, as laughter tinkled inside the walls of the kothi.
Matsya Ambi is a throwback to those beautiful, slow evenings of Lucknow, that rarely exist now. This was also a time when embroidered sarees worn had to be minimal, and not overwhelming the wearer. The work had to be fine quality, & the saree, a conversation starter.
POSHAAK (About the garment):
Matsya Ambi saree has two prominent motifs of Lucknow detailed on the palla in Resham Chikankari:
Matsya - The Fish emblem motif of Awadh which comes resting on the shoulders, when the palla is taken over the shoulder.
Ambi - a very rare & old motif of overlapping ambis of different sizes, that seems to be inspired from Tanchoi weave of Banaras. It is a unique motif layout that was never seen in Chikankari, despite Ambi or Paisley being a very prominent Chikankari motif. This forms the palla, which will look glorious when taken over the shoulder.
The rest of the gorgeous Coral Pink saree is hand embroidered with Gold stars of Mukaish, making this the perfect throwback saree of Vintage Chikankari.
FROM THE VAULT COLLECTIVE : A masterpiece of a rarity...a mobile piece of art..an allover stunning Heirloom Chikankari saree with all hand cutwork stitches in one saree!! It also includes many other rare stitches of the craft.
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
A rare masterpiece that has taken over 1 year in making
All 4 Chikankari hand cutwork stitches in 1 saree - Jaali (trellis stitch), Hool (eyelet stitch), Hathkati (ladder pattern stitch), Bijli (eyelet with filling stitch).
2 Taar Taagha work in this Chikankari saree, to give it a fine look
Pure Georgette Silk fabric
Hand me down Heirloom Chikankari saree
Khayal (Moodboard):
"Chandani ke boote aur Dhoop ki Kaliyan" - The flowers carved by Moonlight, & the Buds that bloom under mellow sunshine.
This is a title in Lucknow's cultural historian, Padma Shri Late Dr Yogesh Praveen ji's book, Aapka Lucknow. The chapter is dedicated particularly to Crafts of Awadh - Zardozi, Mukaish & Chikankari, of which "Dhoop ki Kaliyan" is especially kept for the latter craft.
Chikankari is in fact one of those rarest of rare embroideries, that looks as though crafted out of mellow Sunshine. This saree and its very fine embroidery looks every inch as the delicate flower buds that are ready to bloom in soft glow of the Sun.
Poshaak (about the saree):
This is a saree fit for a Vault Collective.
The saree features 2 taar taagha embroidery in Chikankari, with all 4 hand cutwork stitches (a painstaking rarity), in one saree alone. The beautiful saree is a smorgasbord of many rich & intricate motifs from the palla to the last end. The full saree features many rare stitches like - Jaali, Hool, Hathkati, Bijli, Shadow, triple Kangan, Orma, Penchni, Murri, Phanda and many others.
It is a saree to pass on from mother to daughter and onwards as a family legacy.
Hand embroidered on Pure Georgette Silk, this Heirloom saree is dyeable in any shade one desires.
Such sarees are Collectibles for fine craftsmanship enthusiasts.
This dupatta is Made on Order only.
“There is a dialogue exchange in one of my favourite director, Satyajit Ray's, historical classic based on my city, Lucknow, Shatranj Ke Khiladi. The scene is like this - General Outram (portrayed very effectively by British actor Sir Richard Attenborough), the British appointed Resident at Lucknow, is conversing with a British doctor and legal practitioner, Ferra, on the ways to annex Awadh. During the conversation, General Outram, a true Brit, remarks on the perfume that the Nawab wears, which he calls "extraordinary" in sarcasm, but complains that his uniform reeks of it, even 3 months after the interview with the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. Ferra remarks that the perfume is " attar", a Damask Rose Parfum made locally in Awadh. The slight on this fabulous perfume from Awadh was hurtful, yet expected from a character like Outram, who did not understand concepts of Indian aesthetics and was brought up to demean them. My mind however got stuck on Ferra's explanation of "Perfume of Damask Rose". My personal collection of perfumes is only of Ittar from Awadh - Khus, Gulaab, Sandal - being my absolute favourite. I always wanted to incorporate their name into a luxury piece created in Meiraas. So here is presenting a whiff of Sandalwood Ittar through weaves & crafts of India - The Sandal Ittar Dupatta ” - Vidhi Rastogi, Head of Creative, Meiraas.
A true museum art piece, the Sandal Ittar dupatta, is an exemplary piece of Luxury Chikankari. Created on supple Handwoven Tussar Silk, the dupatta is crafted on the natural shade of Tussar Silk, a Golden beige, as balmy as Sandal, and embroidered upon with the same coloured resham thread.
The highlight of this luxury dupatta is the fantastic Jaali work with Gold Qasab taar (jaali stitch made using zari filament vis a vis thread, which means it is more difficult, rare and time taking to create). The Sandal Ittar Dupatta is finished on either daaman with crochet lace dyed in the same colour. It is a fragrance of true art!!
Please Note: Email us at namaste@meiraas.com if you wish to make a kurta to go with this dupatta, or wish to change the dupatta fabric. We will take the conversation forward.
La Vie En Rose is a gorgeous Resham Aari & Zardozi hand embroidered saree on Pure Georgette Silk, in the colours of soft English roses. This saree is one piece only and Ready To Ship.The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
1. Skilled Hand Embroidery with Roses as central moodboard.
2. Resham Embroidery in less filaments
4. Zardozi beads & sequins detailing done on the saree
5. Handcrafted on Pure Georgette Silk
KHAYAL (Mood-board):
La Vie En Rose, or see the World with rose tints, is a popular, cultural expression, that translates to a feeling of positivity & uplifting the mood by seeing the beauty in the World. The expression has birthed countless songs & cinematic representations. The thought behind creating a Rose Garden saree came from here, & in keeping with the Parisian Culture of this expression, we created the saree embroidery in shades of blush, peach, soft pinks.
POSHAAK (About the garment):
Summer evenings or Winter day soirees, La Vie En Rose, is a perfect saree for bringing forth an elegant & regal charm of vintage era. The Pure Georgette Silk saree is handcrafted in Resham Aari Embroidery on the borders, in a pattern of Rose creeper with beautiful shades of Peach, Blush & Cream highlighting the Roses. The saree also has a miniature floral motif running all through the body.
This beautiful saree is further highlighted on the border & body with subtle sequins detailing in nude & copper shades to bring out the Resham handwork. It is a truly regal saree which can be dressed up or down to wear on many elegant occasions.
A stunning Coral Red Chikankari Kota Doria saree with very intricate embroidery on the border, palla & body of the saree. This saree is one piece only and Ready To Ship.The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
1. Skilled Hand Embroidery on absolutely novel motif art.
2. Hand carved motifs carved following all processes.
4. Chikankari work done on intricate, antique motifs, that might someday be housed in a museum of crafts, or a well researched coffee table book.
KHAYAL (Mood-board):
Moonga or colour of the Coral stone; this was one of the most favoured hue of the ladies of Lucknow. Not Red, but Moonga colour, a cross between Pink, Red & Orange. A shade that reflected the light of all three, and yet held its unique charm. Inspired by Moonga jewellery that many of them popularly wore back then, this was a hue that inspired the shade & delicate work of this saree.
POSHAAK (About the garment):
This Coral Red saree looks resplendently Pink in some lights, and in some lights it gives out a blazing Coral shade of Red.
The saree has lovely broad border made of three intricate borders on all 3 sides.
It features a stunning Sea Coral floral motif that runs all through the body of the saree. A rare work to see in Tepchi Chikankari.
A gorgeous Chikankari Kota Doria saree with our signature Floral motif of Patta Patta Boota Boota, in soft Ombre shades of Yellow to evoke fragrant Sandalwood memories of summer. This saree is one piece only and Ready To Ship.The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
1. Skilled Hand Embroidery on absolutely novel motif art.
2. Hand carved motifs carved following all processes.
4. Conceptual Chikankari work, that might someday be housed in a museum of crafts, or a well researched coffee table book.
KHAYAL (Mood-board):
Sandali or the one with Sandalwood Fragrance! Sandal is an evocative memory to the olfactory senses, as soon as summer arrives. Along with its spiritual value, the calming yellow hue of Sandal is known for its subtle yet wholesome beauty. No wonder, this hue brings a calm smile to any face. In Lucknow, Sandali was used colloquially to mean soft & beautiful like Sandal colour.
POSHAAK (About the garment):
This ombre Yellow saree, inspired by the lovely fragrance of Sandal, has a stunning palla full of Meiraas Exclusive Patta Patta Boota Boota motifs, giving it a grand look. The rest of the saree features a beautiful floral border, & an antique motif on the body.
The embroidery is Tepchi Chikankari in resham thread. The soft yellow ombre shade gives it a delightful look, which is perfect for summers. The saree is one to be cherished and worn lovingly as soon as summers come calling.
The saree palla has been finished with delicate crochet lace detailing.
This product is Made on Order.
Masterclass dupatta with 2 antique motifs in a design pattern - the Paan Boota & the Chaand Boota. This resham Chikankari Hand Embroidery Dupatta is made on handwoven Organza with Ganga Jamuna borders of Tested Zari Gold & Silver on either side.
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Century plus antique Chikankari motif found and restored for use.
Masterclass Jaali stitch using Zari filament, which is extremely difficult to do.
High quality stitches using Resham taar filament
Sustaining highest quality of Jaali stitch as centrepiece, which is almost vanishing from the craft or getting replaced with sequins and cutdana.
Handwoven Pure Organza Silk with tested Zari borders of Gold & Silver, making it a Hand embroidered and Hand Woven wholesome piece of wearable art.
KHAYAL (moodboard): If Chikankari embroidery is Poetry on Textile, then Jaali stitch is its Evocative Drama!! Jaali is an exceptionally brilliant optical illusion created on fabric by the hands of the karigars, where they replicate the trellis pattern of windows. Windows through which the first rays of sunshine sieve and enter a dark room, and spread their warmth in an alluring pattern. Windows through which the silver glow of a full Moon, enters in a cosmic colour play of calmness. Jaali has more spiritual connect with the artisans than we can think; maybe this is what makes the stitch the high point of Chikankari art.
POSHAAK (about the garment): This bright yellow dupatta has 2 antique Chikankari motifs - Paan and Chaand. Both motifs have very intricate detailing inside them. The bootas are placed on diagonal ends of the dupatta, & the body is filled with 3 miniature motif cluster all through. The dupatta, with its Zari Gold & Silver border, is a piece of stunning wearable art, that one can pass from generation to generation.
Only Dupatta is available to shop in this listing. The last image is to show full dupatta, when paired with a kurta.
Important: You can email us at namaste@meiraas.com if you wish to plan a Kurta with this dupatta. You can also shop this in Shahi Paan ensemble: Lemon Souffle combination.
FROM THE VAULT COLLECTIVE : A masterpiece of a rarity...a mobile piece of art..an allover stunning Chikankari saree with 14 unique stitches in its folds!!
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
A rare masterpiece that has taken over 1 year in making
14 unique Chikankari stitches in one saree -
Jaali
Bijli
Shadow
Phanda
Kaante
Rahet
Orma
Kauri
Keel
Kangan
Ghaspatti
Murri
Double Kangan
Pechni
2 Taar work in this Chikankari saree, to give it a fine look
Pure Georgette Silk fabric
Hand me down Heirloom Chikankari saree
Khayal (Moodboard):
The month of Chaitra (roughly March mid to April mid), is one with Pink summers setting in, where the air is still free of the upcoming scorching heat, and the coolness of the winter months gone by, make the mornings and evenings very pleasant. It is a month, where the Earth, especially in Northern plains of India, springs the most beautiful blossoms all around. The most prominent amongst them are tall Kaner bushes, with stunning Pink blossoms all over them, weighing the delicate boughs down in their sweet ambrosia. These Kaner flowers are also known as Chaitra Gulaab, as their appearance is similar to roses, and colour is a stunning Pink. When reflected against a cornflower blue sky, and with other blossoms filling up all garden spaces, they make a meadow in any city, town or village.
In Lucknow, they are a common sight, and one that fills the heart with joy. Coupled with these are the tiny mangoes on tree boughs, that promise to soon grow into large vats of heavenly nectar. Together, they make Chaitra Upvan an oasis to cherish. This is the Khayal that defines this saree the best.
Poshaak (about the saree):
This is a saree fit for a Vault Collective. The saree Pallu itself has 14 unique embroidery patterns; please note that this adds intricacy & complexity in the work & thus makes it more premium. Even the corner most areas of the saree has nuanced details
The body is all over painstakingly embroidered with unique embroidery patterns.
Such sarees are made in hair like 2-3 taar filament of super fine embroidery thread only, allowing deeper patterns to be made. Time taken to make such sarees is almost a year. Sarees of this kind are the finest and rarest quality of Chikankari, that classify as Heirloom pieces.
Such sarees are Collectibles for fine craftsmanship enthusiasts.
This product is Ready To Ship. Please see Time in Dispatch for more details.
A beautiful Rose Pink coloured Chikankari Dupatta with 2 motif fusion of Miniature Peacock and Jasmine flowers along with Mukaish embroidery all over
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Rare & antique miniature Peacock motif
Resham Chikankari Hand Embroidery
Mukaish Hand Embroidery
2 Motif fusion pattern all over the dupatta.
Handloom Chanderi fabric
KHAYAL (moodboard): Lucknow has its own way of naming various colours; a colloquial shade chart, if you will. No one says Pink or Hot Pink over there, but we have grown up hearing names like Roohafza Gulaabi, Gajari, Rani and Gulkandi, for various shades of Pink. As soon as someone would say Gulkandi, the mind would immediately travel to the sweetness of the indigenous condiment in Paan, or in summer shakes. There was a particular, brillinat Pink shade of Gulkandi shake, that made us name this dupatta in its memory. Luckhnavis pay more attention to the feel evoked by a colour's name, than its literal accuracy. This is why Lucknow has its own way of calling shade names, which are also mentioned by the city's historian, late Padmashree Dr Yogesh Praveen ji, in his books.
POSHAAK (about the garment): This brilliantly pink Dupatta has 2 motif play of antique miniature peacock, and jasmine flower in an interplay upon the buttery Chanderi fabric. The dupatta is locked using a ghaspatti & shadow bel on all 4 sides. It has a generous smattering of Mukaish embroidery, that makes it look even more beautiful.
The dupatta has stitches like Orma, Ghaspatti, Hool, Phanda, Murri stitch in the Peacock motif alone!! The jasmine flower has stitches like Keel, Kangan and Ghaspatti.
It is a beautiful wrap that will not be limited to be worn on Indian wear only, but can be taken on classic black coloured gowns or jumpsuits as well.
Important: You can email us at namaste@meiraas.com if you wish to plan a Kurta or Ensemble with this dupatta.
This product is Made On Order. Please see Time in Dispatch for more details.
A moon like pristine White dupatta with soft 3 colour pastel Chikankari, in two motif fusion, on handwoven Chanderi.
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
Meiraas Exclusive Bijli Boota motif, re created using an archival motif image
Rare Hand Embroidery: Three colour embroidery on re created Bijli Boota with intricate cutwork like Bijli, Hathkati & Jaali in one motif! A rare feat indeed!!
Resham Chikankari hand embroidery in 3 colours. The use of multicolours takes more time & skill than single colour work
2 Motif fusion pattern all over the dupatta. Even the miniature motif is made using 3 colours.
Handloom Chanderi fabric
KHAYAL (moodboard):Elizabeth Bennett is the central protagonist of Pride & Prejudice (1813), a legendary classic by Jane Austen. She is one of the five lovely Bennett sisters, & is now considered amongst the greatest heroines of English Classic Literature. Elizabeth is "second only to Jane in beauty & countenance", yet her most endearing aspect is her cynicism tempered with her sweet nature. With all the traits that Jane has & keeps each separate from the other, Elizabeth's character is a beautifully aligned composition of each one of them in a neat & witty package. This is why this buttery Chanderi Dupatta has three diverse colours of Pink, Yellow & Blue in one Motif, that symbolises Elizabeth the best, & as an evolved version of Jane.
POSHAAK (about the garment): This dupatta is a grander version of Elizabeth Dupatta made by us sometime ago. The butter white Chanderi drape has a fusion of 3 unique miniature motifs, the Bijli boota in big & small size, and a miniature leaf petal boota. 3 soft pastel shades - Sky Blue, Lemon Yellow and Rose Pink, create each motif, even the most miniature one. The dupatta is closed on 4 sides with a shadow & ghasspatti bel in two colours.
The Bijli motif has 3 unique hand cutworks in one motif - Bijli, Jaali & Hathkati!! It is simply astounding how much detailing one motif can hold.
It is a beautiful wrap that will not be limited to be worn on Indian wear only, but can be taken on classic white gowns or jumpsuits as well.
Important: You can email us at namaste@meiraas.com if you wish to plan a Kurta or Ensemble with this dupatta.