India’s Embroidered Legacy
EXPLORE
Every thread tells a story of women weaving their emotions into Kantha quilts in Bengal, of Rabari nomads stitching mirror-laced dreams in the desert sun, and of artisans keeping centuries old legacies alive in tiny village homes. Northern India, in particular, dazzles with richness from the white-on-white finesse of Chikankari in Lucknow to the shimmering zari of Banaras.
Indian embroidery is not just craft, it is culture, identity, and storytelling passed from one hand to another, generation after generation.
Rabari Embroidery
Rabari embroidery has its origin in the pastoral Rabari community of Kutch, Gujarat.
Mochi Embroidery
Named after the term “mochi” (cobbler), early practitioners were leatherworkers.
Kutchi Style Embroidery
Kutchi embroidery is a pan-tribal craft in Kutch, with inputs from Ahir, Rabari, Jat, and Meghwal communities.
Chinai Embroidery
Chinai (also called Soof) embroidery originates from the Sodha Rajput and Meghwal tribes.
Sindhi Style Embroidery
Sindhi embroidery evolved along trade routes connecting Sindh (now in Pakistan) to Kutch.
Ari Embroidery
Ari embroidery traces its roots to the Mughal era (16th century), believed to have been brought to India by Persian craftsmen.
Phulkari
Originating in 15th-century Punjab.Widespread across both Indian and Pakistani Punjab; major hubs include Malwa, Majha, and Doaba.
Phoolpatti Embroidery
Phoolpatti literally means “flower and leaf,” and the motifs reflect natural themes like roses, jasmine, marigold, mango leaves.
Chikan Embroidery
Chikankari, often simply called Chikan, is a 400-year-old embroidery tradition that originated in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Sozni
Kashmiri shawl with roots tracing back to the 15th century during the rule of Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah).
Zari Work
Zari (from the Persian zari, meaning “gold”) is an ancient form of metallic thread embroidery that dates back to the Vedic period
Kantha and Sujani Work
Kantha was a form of functional embroidery used to recycle old sarees and dhotis into quilts or throws (Kantha = “patched cloth” in Sanskrit).
Appliqué Work
Rooted in the 12th century, Pipli appliqué work was developed to create ceremonial canopies, umbrellas, and banners for Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra in Puri.