Romancing the chikankari

                                          

I've always been a fan of traditional Indian fabrics and embroidery and it was pleasure to meet Rekha Mohan who's committed to the cause of  keeping this tradition alive for not just aesthetic but also  philanthropic reasons. Hers has been a   journey of 25 years to help veiled women earn livelihood within the confines and  comfort of their homes- this is a beautiful undertaking.What motivated her to involve herself with this particular craft , she says it was her fascination for the simple white on white threadwork  and the ethereal romantic aura of the Chikankari .Infact so intrigued was Mrs Mohan with this art, that she took on the task of educating herself about its intricacies and that love reflects when she passionately spoke about how every block has a particular form of embroidery and how even a single dot is significant and has a meaning. A lot of credit for reviving Chikankari ofcourse also goes to popular designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, and this has helped a lot of women earn some income while still tending to the needs of family .

Rekha Mohan organises 2  exhibitions and  an annual fashion show ,the proceeds of which go to Sangini a NGO that helps children suffering from Thalassemia. Imagine just how many needy people profit from a garment . For us it's  just a garment but a single saree takes a year for a woman to work on, its her sustenance.  For the gen X that may not be interested in Sarees or dupattas , the fabrics can be customized and converted into anarkalis , shararas, , kurtis or capes. The incorporation of Mukaish, zardosi and lace imparts a richness to the simple outfits. My male readers need not be disappointed , there's plenty to choose from the men's range of kurtas . Tomorrow's the last day of the exhibition, make sure you don't miss this one.

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