About Us
A Craft Worth Keeping Alive
Chikankari survives because someone still pays for it properly. That's the part of the business we take most seriously - everything else follows from it.
About Chikankari
#1 embroidery - Chikankariby#1 brand - Ethnava
For Lucknow, Chikankari isn't just another embroidery - it is the remembrance of our culture. It is the craft we grew up seeing, that chikankari piece in our grandmother's wardrobe. The artisans added their emotions and hours of dedication into it, stitching stories into a fine Chikankari piece. The unmistakable elegance that somehow feels like Lucknow.
Chikankari isn't just a technique passed down through generations. It is our culture, our craftsmanship, and a reminder of where we come from.
About Ethnava
Ethnava was born from a simple belief that Chikankari deserves to be experienced, not just worn.
Our parent company, Balaji Handicrafts Pvt. Ltd., has spent four decades working closely with the Chikankari craft and understanding its techniques, fabrics, artisans and most importantly, the story behind every stitch. We have witnessed Chikankari develop over these years while remaining deeply rooted. That very journey is what gave rise to Ethnava.
We are based in the heart of Lucknow, combining contemporary fashion, luxurious fabrics, and an elevated retail experience with the centuries old art of Lucknowi Chikankari. For us, every piece begins with the craft, the fine stitching, patience of the artisan, the nature of embroidery done by hand and the unmistakable love of Lucknow. We select pieces that make Chikankari relevant to modern women while preserving these factors.
Our goal is to make authentic Lucknowi craftsmanship available to people all over the world without sacrificing what makes it unique. We want the world to discover Chikankari not as a passing trend, but as a living Indian art form with a story, a culture and generations of craftsmanship behind it.
Founder & Managing Director
Mr. Sanjeev Agarwal
Mr. Sanjeev has over 40+ years of experience in the Chikankari manufacturing, wholesale and retail industry. He started his journey with the thought of preserving the Lucknowi art and delivering it to every corner of the world so that people living away from Lucknow will always remember Lucknowi Chikankari.
He has contributed and has played a vital role as President of the Lucknowi Chikankari Association, in the betterment of the artisans. Mr. Agarwal has vowed to provide the best possible quality and finest chikankari work globally.
What we're actually here to do
Most chikankari passes through a wholesaler, a distributor and a retail floor before it reaches you, with the karigar's share shrinking at every step. Ethnava sells directly: we agree a fair rate with karigars in Lucknow and sell what they make straight to you, so pricing stays honest on both ends.
Our Core Promise
What That Commitment Looks Like
The karigar comes first
Every order pays the karigar fairly and on time, whether the piece sells in a week or a season.
No showroom, no markup chain
No retail floor, no distributor. A piece moves from the karigar's frame straight to your door.
Priced for what it actually costs
Handwork has a real cost, and we'd rather be upfront about it than cut corners to compete on price.
A small house, on purpose
We're not trying to be the biggest chikankari label, just one that's honest about how the clothes get made and who they support. If that means growing slower than a marked-up, mass-produced alternative would, that's a trade we're glad to make.
