1 saree is Ready to Ship. After that is sold, the saree will be MADE ON ORDER only & will take 8-10 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 Nadi - The River Goddess
Yakshi is the Goddess of Love, Passion, Nurturing, Power. Yakshi is the Goddess of Feminine Power. Yakshi Nadi (yellow) is our ode to the River Goddesses, whom we consider as our Mothers since the start of time. River is much more than a water body for us, She is a celestial mother who takes care of us. Yakshi Nadi shows the amalgamation of flora & fauna that are life supported by the power of our River Goddesses. The photograph with the model holding the water vessel is a throwback to Mother Ganga and Mother Yamuna sculptures in ancient temples holding water vessels (signifying their contribution to nurture life).
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):
Nadi saree has the Meiraas exclusive Kabootarbaazi motif running on the palla; signifying life of flora and fauna due to the nurturing nectar that is provided by our rivers. 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.
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.
White Cotton Silk Saree with Tepchi Chikankari in Turquoise colour with Stunning Embroidery of Meiraas Exclusive Falaknuma Motif of Rumi Darwaza & Fish Emblem of Awadh.
The Sustainability Quotient (TSQ):
1.) Original Motifs of Meiraas carved following all due processes.
2.) Ek Daana nuanced Tepchi Chikankari
3.) Tepchi with Kasab Jaali work in Rumi Darwaza
KHAYAL (moodboard):
The magnificent Rumi Darwaza is an imposing & inspiring presence on the city of Lucknow. The Macchli (Fish Symbol) is the identity of Awadh. Below this is the therapeutic flow of River Gomti. Rumi, Macchli, Gomti Nadi come together to create this classic piece of Meiraas.
POSHAAK (about the saree):
This Cotton Silk saree has woven bootas in the Palla. Amidst these bootas, you can see triangular waves inspired by Gomti River. On top of that is Rumi Darwaza & all along the border Macchli Boota. A true Luckhnavi saree!!
The white & blue combination (Moti aur Firoza), was a colour palette preferred by most of the royalty of India, whether in jewellery, homes or clothes.
Fabric: Cotton Silk
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.
This saree is Ready To Ship.THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):-
Resham Chikankari (Hand Embroidery Practised Since Ancient Age).
Hand Picked Ancient Archived Motifs.
Conceptual and Exclusive Chikankari Artwork on Zari Silk fabric.
Handloom Zari Silk fabric.
Museum quality Chikankari sarees that can be handed down generation to generation as a treasure.
KHAYAAL (Mood-board):
The Khayal or Aatmamanthan behind keeping this collection under the name Dhanlakshmi was very clear. We wanted to make a repository of Heirloom Sarees, where we can create colours and palettes that signify the opulence of Sri Lakshmi.
After our series of metallic sarees of Swarna Lakshmi (Gold), Rajat Lakshmi (Silver), Krishna Lakshmi (Black Gold), we are now introducing, TaamraLakshmi, signifying the 3rd most important metal in our culture, Copper. The celebration of metal names is deeply spiritual, in accordance to the deity they are ascribed to, i.e., Sri Lakshmi.
We wish the radiance of Sri Lakshmi, who visits deserving households during Deepawali, to bring them prosperity and wholesome progress.
TaamraLakshami is a stunning Red Gold Zari Silk Chikankari saree, with Red Resham embroidery, a piece de resistance, and one that creates new Heirlooms and Textile Traditions.
POSHAAK (About the garmemt):
The stunning TaamraLakshami, is embroidered with extremely delicate and prized stitches of Conceptual Chikankari Art work.
The palla features a combination of two antique miniature floral motifs. Along with that a delicate and detailed circular floral motif is placed along the length of the palla and has stunning embroidery of Zari Taar Jaali (extremely difficult to do on this fabric), murri, keel, ghaaspatti, phanda, zanjeera, rahet etc.
It is extremely difficult to work on full Zari Silk sarees, because of many reasons:
The saree reflects light back, making it impossible to work in full light, hence it needs perfect light setting in a room and extremely skilled artisans to make it.
Such fabric requires enormous dexterity and a very fine level of craftsmanship, therefore the number of artisans working on it are just 1-2 only. This means it takes more time than other sarees
Zari Taar Jaali work is extremely difficult to do on this saree; Cutting jaali by hand is a difficult and time consuming process as it is (this is why its artisans are reducing, as they demand better wages for the time and skill, which popular market is unwilling to pay). Cutting a jaali using Zari Taar filament is the toughest level, as the Zari Taar is not visible to the naked eye easily. In this case Zari Taar has been used to cut Jaali on full Zari Silk saree, making it the toughest level. This obviously commands time and best wages for the artisans involved.
Words will fall short in the praise of this exquisite beauty of a saree!! Some of these motifs are centuries old, and some freshly carved looking at centuries old motifs. A rare piece of Art.
The unique Red Gold colour of the saree with Red embroidery makes it stunning, regal and a timeless heirloom that you would like to pass on generation after generation.
The drape of this saree is breathtaking; rich and very form fitting and supple, making it ideal for all body types.
We will also provide a 1 metre running Chikankari embroidered Tussar Silk blouse piece in Red colour as part of the saree.
P.S: If you are noticing dark patches anywhere in the pictures, then that is the Zari reflecting the light back to the camera, and this is not present on the saree.
Avoid moisture seeping into such sarees. Always store them in a dry place and in the Meiraas bag we deliver them in. Keep opening Silk Sarees in every 6 months and changing its folds.
The saree is 41.5 inches in width, in case you want increase in the width of the saree, please drop us a mail at namaste@meiraas.com . We will add a coloured fabric seamlessly on the tucking in area to give you your desired width.
Very fine Tepchi Chikankari jaaldaar dupatta on very soft Pure Cotton.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Tepchi Chikankari Embroidery
Pure Cotton dupatta
Azo Free Dyes
KHAYAL (mood board):
Dopehri is a summer song of Lucknow presented by Meiraas!! Through this entry range collection of ours, we want you to step into the oasis of slow summer living of yesteryears that we are all trying to bring back collectively!!
POSHAAK (about the product):
Soft cotton Tepchi Chikankari Dupatta with allover jaaldaar embroidery.
The delicate Tepchi truly comes alive on a soft cotton base of fabric. Tepchi aka the Darning Stitch dupattas are known to look similar from front & back, thereby creating an ethereal silhouette of elegance that is the signature style of Chikankari.
Use them as dupattas, or get creative and use the yardage as you desire for sheers, drapes, projects etc.
Only Dupatta is available to shop from this post.
Styling Tip: These long and wide dupattas make fabulous beach sarongs as well.
Very fine Tepchi Chikankari jaaldaar dupatta on very soft Pure Cotton.
THE SUSTAINABILITY QUOTIENT (TSQ):
Tepchi Chikankari Embroidery
Pure Cotton dupatta
Azo Free Dyes
KHAYAL (mood board):
Dopehri is a summer song of Lucknow presented by Meiraas!! Through this entry range collection of ours, we want you to step into the oasis of slow summer living of yesteryears that we are all trying to bring back collectively!!
POSHAAK (about the product):
Soft cotton Tepchi Chikankari Dupatta with allover jaaldaar embroidery.
The delicate Tepchi truly comes alive on a soft cotton base of fabric. Tepchi aka the Darning Stitch dupattas are known to look similar from front & back, thereby creating an ethereal silhouette of elegance that is the signature style of Chikankari.
Use them as dupattas, or get creative and use the yardage as you desire for sheers, drapes, projects etc.
Only Dupatta is available to shop from this post.
Styling Tip: These long and wide dupattas make fabulous beach sarongs as well.