Embroidery Textiles

Agra, a city with a rich heritage of art and craftsmanship, is well-known for its intricate and exquisite embroidery textiles. Embroidery is a traditional skill that has been passed down through generations in Agra, and it plays a significant role in the city's textile industry.

Agra is famous for 

• Zardozi Embroidery: Agra is particularly famous for its zardozi embroidery, which involves the use of metallic threads, gemstones, and pearls to create intricate and opulent designs. Zardozi work is often used for embellishing clothing, accessories, and home decor items. It was once used to embellish the ensemble of the kings and royals. Moreover, walls of royal tents, wall hangings, scabbards and paraphernalia of regal horses and elephants were also done in zardozi. Zardozi has existed in India from the times of the Rig Veda and there are numerous mentions of zari in the attires of gods. However, at that time, the embroidery was done with real gold leaves and silver wires. Today, copper wires with a golden or silver polish are used along with a silk thread. Two Persian words ‘zar’ meaning gold and ‘dozi’ meaning embroidery make up the word ‘zardozi’. This Persian embroidery form gained significance in the 17th century under the rule of Mughal emperor Akbar.

• Aari Embroidery: Agra is also known for aari embroidery, a type of chain stitch embroidery that is commonly used for intricate and delicate designs. Aari work is often seen on clothing, particularly Indian traditional wear like sarees and salwar kameez. Aari work is known to be one of the most tedious forms of hand embroidery. Today with the help of technological inventions, the process has become simpler and faster. Aari is a type of embroidery that utilizes a hooked needle to create intricate and delicate designs, often incorporating Zardozi embroidery, which is a technique that uses metallic threads to add shimmer and shine to the finished piece.

• Kantha Embroidery: Kantha embroidery, which involves running stitches, is another style of embroidery found in Agra. It is often seen on textiles like quilts and shawls. Kantha is a centuries-old tradition of stitching patchwork cloth from rags, which evolved from the thrift of rural women in the Bengali region. One of the oldest forms of embroidery originating from India, its origins can be traced back to the pre-Vedic age (prior to 1500 BCE).

Agra's embroidery textiles are renowned for their quality and craftsmanship. Skilled artisans use traditional techniques and meticulous handwork to create detailed and beautiful embroidery. The price of embroidery textiles in Agra can vary widely based on factors such as the type of embroidery, the complexity of the design, the material, and the size of the textile. Hand-embroidered pieces are often more expensive. Many embroidery artisans in Agra offer customization services, allowing you to choose the design, colors, and fabrics to suit your preferences.

In Agra embroidery is done on many articles such as Clothing, Accessories, and Home Décor articles. Many female tourists visit Agra like to buy Indo-western clothing with embroidery or handbags with beautiful embroidery. Many visitors take embroidery home décor articles such as wall hanging, rugs, bed sheets and more back with them.

You can find embroidery textiles in various markets and shops throughout Agra. Popular shopping destinations for embroidery textiles include Kinari Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, and various boutique stores.