Zari commonly known as Zardozi is a type of ancient persian embroidery florished duing the reign of Mughal Emperor and Akbar in India and Pakistan. It saw a decline during the reign of Aurangzeb as the royal patronage and favor stopped and the art was too expensive and the precious metals too rare to carry on. But it revived after independence in Hydrabad and Lucknow. Now this embroidery is back in boom and is must on Indian occasions especially on Indian weddings.

Zari is gold, and zardozi embroidery is the glitteringly ornate, heavily encrusted gold thread work. This taditional art is the sheer magic of fingers and imaginative designs and envisaged by lustrous silver or gold plated metallic wire, threads, beads and stones. India the land of culure has wide variety of finest zari embroidery and designs which are used for table linens and variety of shawls. One can experience this beautiful embriodery on famous pashmina shawls of Kashmir and motifs.

Done with metal wire and metal pieces or sequins on velvet, satin and heavy silk bases, Zari is one of the most famous and elaborate techniques in metal embroidery. Popularly known as Aari work, Zari, involves use of beads and a special needle known as Muthia which is similar to a crochet needle. Muthia is used for Zardozi work, in which Kallavattu, Sitara, Moti or Salma is trapped. Some main varieties of this work are Dabka, Salma, Nakshi, Aara and Gota. The difference between Aari and Zardozi work is in the method of embroidery and material used. Zardozi uses Dabka (spring type of a thread), katori, tikena, and sitara (sequins). Both methods are used to create fascinating designs. This imperial metal embroidery is used to make exquisite evening dresses, coats, fashion accessories like purses, handbags, belts, shoes, ceremonial adornments like badges and insignia, furnishing accessories like cushion covers, wall hangings and boxes etc.