Kantha

Kantha, one of my favourite embroidery is rich multi-colure embroidery from West Bengal. This beautiful embroidery is done just by simple running stitches. 

Going back to history of kantha, the oldest kantha date from the early 1800s and is embroidered with blue, black and red threads that were unravelled from sari borders. Kantha have been made using the same technique and the motifs, for centuries. Traditionally it is made of old used cloth, generally a worn out sari. It was also essentially a domestic item, made by poor women for domestic use rather than display.

Going back to history of kantha, the oldest kantha date from the early 1800s and is embroidered with blue, black and red threads that were unravelled from sari borders. Kantha have been made using the same technique and the motifs, for centuries. Traditionally it is made of old used cloth, generally a worn out sari. It was also essentially a domestic item, made by poor women for domestic use rather than display.

Only recently has kantha been “ discovered”, and now considered to be a craft worth preserving and interest has been revived in traditional motifs and colors.

Fabric on which the Kantha is done is usually the old fabric that already underwent various washings. The threads used for embroidery are mainly white, red, green, yellow and black and blues in colour. Cotton threads are usually used for embroidery.

Different motifs like bird, fishes, Kalka, mandala, mythological stories are used. Talking of Kantha motifs, they are deeply influenced by religious belief and culture.

Kantha Motifs

The Running stitches in Kantha are used in six variations. They are

1. Vajra
2. Vanasati
3. Chatia
4. Parallel
5. Woven
6. Trichi

Using this beautiful embroidery various  products are made such as women's suits, sarees, scarves, bags, shirts, quilts, pillow-cases, etc.

Kantha Products

The best part of kantha is running stitch taken in same color thread as fabric color around the motif. It gives amazing appearance to kantha embroidery.