Zardozi —
the magnificent metallic embellishment of India — dates back to ancient
times. It finds mention in Vedic literature, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and all
accounts of the Sultanate period. The country, from very early times, was known for the
use of gold embroidery on a variety of objects including furnishings, trappings, parasols,
and equestrian ornaments. The more aesthetic and evolved embroideries were used on
court costumes and especially on accessories such as shoes.
The historical accounts of this craft are shrouded in the usual romantic stories and
inaccurate data. But the only certainty is that zarkas — a Persian word meaning zari or
gold embroidery — was widely used in all the accounts. History says that from the 13th
century, the craftspeople who worked with this medium, setting seed pearls and
precious stones with fine gold and silver wire, were known as zardos workers.
Done with metal wire and metal pieces or sequins on velvet, satin and heavy silk bases,
Zardozi is one of the most famous and elaborate techniques in metal embroidery. The
original embroidery of Zardozi was done with pure silver wires coated with real gold,
and was known as Kalabatun. Though silver and gold wires have now been replaced
with synthetic threads, the art remains the same. The use of metal embroidery in Indian
textiles and costumes, especially those used for ritual or ceremonial purposes,
demonstrates the importance of gold and silver within the culture.
Of all the crafts of the country, Zardozi seems to have flourished and survived to the
present day like few others.Regions known for zardozi are
-Hyderabad
· Lucknow
· Jammu, Kashmir
· Kolkata
· Varanasi
· Agra
· Delhi
times. It finds mention in Vedic literature, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and all
accounts of the Sultanate period. The country, from very early times, was known for the
use of gold embroidery on a variety of objects including furnishings, trappings, parasols,
and equestrian ornaments. The more aesthetic and evolved embroideries were used on
court costumes and especially on accessories such as shoes.
The historical accounts of this craft are shrouded in the usual romantic stories and
inaccurate data. But the only certainty is that zarkas — a Persian word meaning zari or
gold embroidery — was widely used in all the accounts. History says that from the 13th
century, the craftspeople who worked with this medium, setting seed pearls and
precious stones with fine gold and silver wire, were known as zardos workers.
Done with metal wire and metal pieces or sequins on velvet, satin and heavy silk bases,
Zardozi is one of the most famous and elaborate techniques in metal embroidery. The
original embroidery of Zardozi was done with pure silver wires coated with real gold,
and was known as Kalabatun. Though silver and gold wires have now been replaced
with synthetic threads, the art remains the same. The use of metal embroidery in Indian
textiles and costumes, especially those used for ritual or ceremonial purposes,
demonstrates the importance of gold and silver within the culture.
Of all the crafts of the country, Zardozi seems to have flourished and survived to the
present day like few others.Regions known for zardozi are
-Hyderabad
· Lucknow
· Jammu, Kashmir
· Kolkata
· Varanasi
· Agra
· Delhi
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