The taʿziyas in South Asia are representations or replicas (shabih) of Imām Husayn’s tomb in Karbala. This paper will analyze the production of this Shiʿi devotional object, and innovations in materiality based on fieldwork conducted in Lucknow to uncover the type of materials used in making taʿziya and examine the backstory of taʿziya production. Innovations in the materiality of ephemeral Lakhnavi taʿziyas validate how makers are deluged with love and devotion towards the Ahl-e bait. The different types of materials and embellishments display an act of veneration or an outlet of devotion. This paper examines the devotional labour of taʿziya makers who belong to both Hindus and Muslim community backgrounds and where they situate themselves within the religious complex of Shiʿism in Lucknow in North India. Taking my lead from the conversation with makers and devotees and first-hand observation of the structure and functioning of this craft form; I aim to situate the taʿziya at the intersection between the aesthetic context of a craft form alongside its efficacy as a Shiʿa devotional object.