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| Kantha Embroidery |
Kantha comprises of the simplest stitch in the language of
embroidery - the running stitch. It is the way in which this stitch is used, in
different arrangements, that forms the complex vocabulary of kantha. Originally
it was used to join layers of old saris, to make quilts. It was also used as a
means of self-expression by both urban and rural women in Bengal.
History of Kantha
The Sanskrit word kontha means 'rags.' One legend links
their origins to Lord Buddha and his disciples, who used to cover themselves
with garments made from discarded rags that were patched and sewn together.
Rags displayed at Indian shrines or tied to tree limbs symbolize prayers and
wards off the evil eye. The oldest extant kantha date from the early 1800s and
is embroidered with blue, black and red threads that were unraveled from sari
borders. Because they were salvaged from used garments that had been frequently
laundered, the colors tend to be muted.
