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.

This Saree is Made on Order & will take 13-15 weeks to get made & dispatched.

THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):

1. 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.
2. UNIQUE WEAVE COMMISSIONED BY MEIRAAS – explained above
3. 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.
4. RESHAM CHIKANKARI (HAND EMBROIDERY PRACTISED SINCE ANCIENT AGE)

Khayal (moodboard):

Kabootarbaazi is inherent to the culture of Lucknow and Awadh. Whether romanced in Ruskin Bond’s period novella “A Flight of the Pigeons” or appearing aesthetically in Ray’s “Shatranj ke Khiladi”, Pigeons and the skyline of Lucknow is synonymous with each other.

Mehraab or Archways are signature architectural style of Nawabi era. The old Lucknow is replete with Mehraab. The Pigeons flying atop Mehraabdaar monuments against a blue sky is not just a saree, it contains the remnants of every Luckhnavi’s culture!!

POSHAAK (about the dress):

This 3 D art saree is feather light & has a turquoise base with gold pure tested zari detailing on either side of the width of the saree.

Depicting the favourite leisure activity of Awadhis, Kabootarbaazi or Flight of Pigeons is an ode to the slow life of Lucknow. We have shown Pigeons taking flight from top of Archways of old Lucknow. Each motif is made using 2-3 colours in one motif, that is a rare practise. Detailing like the beak of the Pigeons & Jaali & peaks of the Mehraab are done with Gold “kasab ki taar” (metallic filament). 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 initimate gatherings, in office, or when you want to dress up & listen to old vintage songs!! The possibilities are endless with a classic.