What does “chikankari” actually mean? Chikankari is an embroidery technique, not a guarantee of how it is made. The word refers to a style of delicate surface embroidery that originated in India. Today, this technique can be executed by hand or replicated using machines. That’s where most confusion begins. Is chikankari always hand embroidery? Traditionally, yes — chikankari was entirely hand embroidered, stitch by stitch. But in today’s market, chikankari can be both hand-do