The Art of Chikankari - By Author Riddhima Sen

 

Chikankari Kurtis and sarees are quite in in trend, recently. Be it for casual wear, or college wear or something which is for a proper event, chikankari Kurtis are the way to go. Chikankari is a very delicate and intricate type of shadow work type of embroidery. Initially, the embroidery was done using white yarn, on colourless muslins known as tanzeb. However, in recent times, chiffon, georgette, cotton and other fine quality fabrics are also being used. Chikankari work is also featured on cushion covers, pillow covers, table linen, and so on and so forth. 

Chikan refers to a piece of fabric, while kari refers to embroidery. Originating in Lucknow, this embroidery dates back roughly to the 3rd century bc. There are references of embroidery similar to chikan in the records left behind by the historian Megasthenes.  Sequin, bead and mirrorwork are oftentimes embellished on fabrics as a part of chikankari. A pattern is generally block-printed on the ground fabric. That is the most crucial step while looking into the process of making Chikankari Kurtis. The white threadwork against the vibrant colours of the fabrics creates a bright and beautiful contrast. Starting straightaway from floral patterns to various other kinds of patterns, the craft of Chikankari is unique and needs to be preserved for the future. 

ज्ञान

ज्ञान - अभिमान - निपुणता, तक ना सही -

अज्ञानता - ये विनम्रता तक नहीं ;

कुछ ज्ञानी हो - न ये जान - ज्ञान का ।।

के बाटने से और बढ़े !

कुछ अज्ञानी ज्ञान की खोज में ;

शिक्षा - शिक्षण, तक नहीं ;

तकनीकी ज्ञान बढ़ाए जीवन का सौंदर्य,

दार्शनिक ज्ञान बढ़ाए बोध !!

शिक्षक के अनुबोधन से ही -

जीवन का अनुदेश हो ;

माँ के पालन में, जीवन का बोध हो !!

ज्ञान ये केवल शिक्षा तक नही -

ध्यान ये केवल दीक्षा तक नहीं ।।

पावन ये मन हो, 

संदेश जो जीवन हो -

स्वयं के अनुचार से ;

विभिन्न ज्ञान के विचार से ;

सृष्टि ये आदि हो -

ना हो अंत - अतः सही !!

सभी शिक्षकों को नमन - ये जीवन 

माँ - ना छूटे कहीं - सौभाग्य से 

ज्ञान हो - शिकशन हो - विभिन्नता में ही

निराकार से आकर अनेकता से ही -

अंत में सब पाया - जब हो ज्ञान अपार ;

सब खोने का भय नहीं -

जब सिक्षा हो साथ ।।

-प्रोमिला देवी सुदर्शन हुईद्रोम

Feminine energy - Ambition's Exclusive By Riddhima Sen

 

Feminine energy is Supreme of all. It is the energy which rules over the world. There is a coordination between masculine and feminine energy. If this coordination gets disrupted, things may go astray. Feminine energy is very often linked with the power of creation and sustenance of the materialistic world.  As per the mythical story of Goddess Annapurna, without women cooking food and taking care of the household, homes wouldn’t be able to run even for a single day. Food is something crucial for every individual who is a part of the household – starting straightaway from little kids to the bread winners of the household. 

When Lord Shiva questioned the importance of Goddess Parvati, she left Kailasha. As soon as she left the mountain abode of the Divine, the world was devoid of life and energy. A magnificent wave of darkness engulfed the entire universe, consequently followed by droughts and famines, resulting in unfed infants crying on the wretched earth. When Lord Shiva finally met his wife, his worldviews were shaped quite differently by then. He realized the importance of food. This story highlights the importance of feminine energy, and how it perfectly complements and matches up to masculine energy to create the perfect balance in the materialistic world .