Embroidery
Traditional Kantha embroidery is a traditional folk art of Bengal and was significantly used in Kantha Quilt. The craft revived worn-out textiles or rags as new. The embroidery not only depicts Kantha stitch & designs but also expresses creativity, patience, imagination & the craftsmanship of the common Bengali woman. We are now working with a cluster of Kantha artisans situated in the Birbhum district of Bengal to produce beautiful Kantha Embroidered Fabrics.
Running stitch: They are subdivided into Nakshi (figured) and par tola (patterned). Nakshi kanthas are further divided into motif or scenic kanthas.
Lohori Kantha: This type of Kantha design is particularly popular in Rajshahi. These kanthas are further divided into soja (straight or simple), Kautar khupi (pigeon coop or triangle), borfi or diamond (charc
Lik or anarasi : The Lik or Anarasi (pineapple) type of Kantha is found in the Chapainawabganj and Jessore areas. The variations are lik tan, lik tile, lik jhumka, and lik lohori.
Cross-stitch or carpet: This type of Kantha was introduced by the English during the British Rule in India. The stitch used in this Kanthas is the cross-stitch.
Sujni Kantha : This type of baal is found only in Rajshahi area. The popular motif used is the undulating floral and vine motif.
The techniques used in this process are designed to involve waste fabric recycling as an input, which means that the process can be repeated again and again. This way old fabric are upcycled into repurposed clothing or something new.
Kantha In Apparels
A number of famous designers have also started using these traditional designs on their clothing lines which have helped bring back attention to this folk art form that is slowly losing its popularity due to lack.
Kantha In homeware:
Originally the Kantha was a practical means of re-cycling fabric to form soft cotton quilts, coverlets, pillowcases or wrappers, and seven types of Kantha have been listed, each with its own motifs. Today, the craft continues to be a popular choice for homeware but it has evolved its aesthetics to create a global appeal.
Kantha Quilt:
Traditionally Kanthas were a combination of embroidery and quilting. These quilts are made from old saris that have been worn for many years and have become soiled, frayed and damaged. 5-7 layers of these sarees are fixed in place together with a basting stitch first and then embroidered with "Kantha" stitch in different patterns.
This makes Kantha unique in comparison to other types of Quilt in the sense that the thickness comes from the layers of fabric and does not require any batting.
At Anuprerna, We Request Everyone To Contribute And Share. This Way We Can Create Global Recognition For These Beautiful Handwoven Crafts & Textiles To Bestow Value Onto The Ordinary Lives Of Our Artisans With Extraordinary Skills. And We Believe That's The Only Way We Can Build A Sustainable And Ethical World For Ourselves.