Chikankari
White-on-white embroidery of Lucknow, worked in many stitches, including the shadow stitch.
Also: chikan, chikan work
Chikankari is the needle embroidery of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. It is worked by hand on fine cotton, muslin, georgette and other light cloth, usually in white or cream thread on white or pale cloth. The design is first printed on the fabric with wooden blocks, and then the embroiderers fill it with a large range of stitches, some flat, some raised, some knotted. A well known one is the shadow stitch, worked on the back so that a soft shape shows through the thin cloth. Chikankari has a Geographical Indication tag for Lucknow. It is used for sarees, kurtas and dupattas.