A rare classic of a Kurta, Syamantak Mani is a white pure linen kurta, with 2 Taar Chikankari done on re-created motifs of late 19th-early 20th century artwork. The kurta is a rarity that the men in maximalist Nawab era used to enjoy.

The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):

1. Re-Created motifs, commissioned by Meiraas, using late 19th & early 20th Century Chikankari motifs as an example. The references have been drawn from Textiles housed in state & national museums and well researched archival works on the subject.
2. Exclusive Meiraas motifs carved following all traditional processes. No tracing of artwork.
3. Use of the Crown Motif which belongs to early 20th Century, and is now with Meiraas unit.
4. 2 Taar Chikankari – the motifs used here are a re-creation of late 19th century artwork, therefore the work could only be done using 2 Taar Chikankari, to embroider on each intricate detail.
5. Rare stitches used in embroidery like Kaante, Hool, Jaali, Phanda, Rahet, Ghaspatti, Chanapatti vis a vis maximum 2-3 common stitches used in Kurtas.
6. Sustainable fabric base – Pure Handwoven Linen.
7. Bespoke stitching.

KHAYAL (moodboard): The legendary Syamantak Gem, mentioned in Vishnu Purana & Bhagwad Purana, is believed to the the famed Kohinoor. Legends say that Syamantak Mani was originally the jewel of the Sun God. It was granted by him to a devotee of his, who belonged to the Yadava clan of Sri Krishna. It was believed that wherever Syamantak was placed with devotion, and not greed, it would heap prosperity on that land. However if passed on or snatched away, it would create the opposite energy, equally potent as its positive energy. Predictably, as is the human greed, the Syamantak was lost, and is believed to be Koh-i-noor.

The Crown motif of this Kurta and its jaw dropping intricate 2 Taar embroidery made us name it Syamantak, alluding to The Crown with this famed jewel.

POSHAAK (about the dress): This is a Pure Linen Kurta in its natural colour. The embroidery motifs used here are all commissioned by Meiraas using images of late 19th century archival Chikankari images, and the Crown Motif is an extremely old one (possibly from early 20th Century).

The back has a stunning re-created motif of Inverted Paan and below it is a motif of inverted, ornate minaret. These works are archived in scholarly works of textile art, we have re-created them in our own way. The embroidery done here is 2 Taar Chikankari.

The sleeves have the minaret, and the whole Kurta body is sprinkled with the Crown motif. The embroidery has been done in Beige & Natural White, in keeping with the work observed in the early 20th Century Textile, to create the closest effect.

The Kurta embroidery is an amalgamation of rare stitches most of which are painstakingly hand cut ones, the prime ones being Kaante (two stitches merged in one embroidery), Jaali, Hool, Ghaspatti, Murri (rice grain). This makes the Kurta a class apart creation that one would love to cherish as part of an Heirloom Collection & pass it on to future generations, who might preserve your legacy as an heirloom, and maybe in a well curated Art & Textile show in the future, can display the taste their ancestor had.

Additional Details: The Kurta is Made on Order only. It is a rarity & will take time to get made, as only a handful of very skilled artisans can even make it. Please feel free to give your custom sizing (please specify body or garment sizing), in case you don’t find your perfect fit in our size chart. For more queries, please mark a mail on namaste@meiraas.com