<p>Though eye-catching hand embroideries are done in various regions of the country, anyone fairly acquainted with the range of handicraft items can easily tell how kantha work stands out from the other varieties. It is all about using a simple stitch called the running stitch, which is filled within the design to give a complete and intricate effect.<br /><br />Like many other rich forms of embroidery flourishing in various rural areas, kantha work too is said to have been initiated by women. <br /><br /><br />According to the local lingua of the region, kantha means “embroidered quilts”. Much before kantha became the famous form of traditional embroidery, it was broadly identified as a way of mending old clothes and fashioning them artistically for reuse.<br /><br />It was an activity women took up to while away their time and eventually made it an outlet for their ingenious talents. Kantha stitching, as done by Bengali women, was all about putting old saris and dhotis together in several layers that was finally sewn together and embellished with kantha stich in coloured thread all over the spread in various motifs depicting birds, flowers, leaves or geometric designs. This multipurpose decorative piece of cloth could be used as a light baby blanket, bed spread, table or pillow cover, or shawl.<br /><br /> These remodelled clothes were given names like Lep Kantha and Sujini Kantha, according to their uses. The region of Shantiniketan and Bolpur are known for their quilts adorned with beautiful kantha work. Artisans dispersed in and around this region are keeping alive the tradition of kantha work and its growing popularity has made it a commercially viable activity. <br /><br />This method of quilting and embroidery is very much similar to the Japanese art of Sashiko quilting. The beauty and utility of traditional kantha work has caught the fancy of people for over five centuries and it traces its roots to the days of Lord Buddha. <br /><br />It is said Lord Buddha and his followers made use of this quilting technique to mend their clothes. References have been made to kantha work in the literary works of Chaitanya Charitamrita by Krishnadas Kaviraj, which was scripted during that era. A simple running stitch has surely come a very long way.<br /></p>
<p>Though eye-catching hand embroideries are done in various regions of the country, anyone fairly acquainted with the range of handicraft items can easily tell how kantha work stands out from the other varieties. It is all about using a simple stitch called the running stitch, which is filled within the design to give a complete and intricate effect.<br /><br />Like many other rich forms of embroidery flourishing in various rural areas, kantha work too is said to have been initiated by women. <br /><br /><br />According to the local lingua of the region, kantha means “embroidered quilts”. Much before kantha became the famous form of traditional embroidery, it was broadly identified as a way of mending old clothes and fashioning them artistically for reuse.<br /><br />It was an activity women took up to while away their time and eventually made it an outlet for their ingenious talents. Kantha stitching, as done by Bengali women, was all about putting old saris and dhotis together in several layers that was finally sewn together and embellished with kantha stich in coloured thread all over the spread in various motifs depicting birds, flowers, leaves or geometric designs. This multipurpose decorative piece of cloth could be used as a light baby blanket, bed spread, table or pillow cover, or shawl.<br /><br /> These remodelled clothes were given names like Lep Kantha and Sujini Kantha, according to their uses. The region of Shantiniketan and Bolpur are known for their quilts adorned with beautiful kantha work. Artisans dispersed in and around this region are keeping alive the tradition of kantha work and its growing popularity has made it a commercially viable activity. <br /><br />This method of quilting and embroidery is very much similar to the Japanese art of Sashiko quilting. The beauty and utility of traditional kantha work has caught the fancy of people for over five centuries and it traces its roots to the days of Lord Buddha. <br /><br />It is said Lord Buddha and his followers made use of this quilting technique to mend their clothes. References have been made to kantha work in the literary works of Chaitanya Charitamrita by Krishnadas Kaviraj, which was scripted during that era. A simple running stitch has surely come a very long way.<br /></p>
