TRADITIONAL INDIAN TEXTILES

Presentation on

KANTHA
PRESENTED BY:SALONI PRIYA (ROLL NO-23) SHREYA GULATI (ROLL NO-26) NANDURI ASHA (ROLL NO-15)

KANTHA
Kantha is a type of embroidery popular in Bangladesh and in West Bengal, India. The use of kantha is popular in saris traditionaly worn by women in Bengal, but any garment or cloth with kantha embroidery (having a border of decorative running stitch motifs) may be called a kantha garment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantha

Kantha used as bed for a baby

 The word kantha has no satisfactory etymological root. The exact time of origin of kantha is not accurately known. it probably had a precursor in kheta (khet in Hindi and Bangla means field").According to Niaz Zaman the word kantha originated from Sanskrit word kontha meaning rags as kantha is made of rags. Another legend relates kantha origin to lord Buddha and his disciples. It is said that they used to cover themselves with the thrown away rags patched and stitched together. The oldest reference to Kantha is in Sri Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita" by Krishnadas Kaviraj Which was written some 500 years back. Kantha was said to be a lady's self expression. The real kantha narrates a story, the emotions and the life of the artist.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakshi_Kantha

ETYMOLOGY

http://sourcing.indiamart.com/apparel/apparel-industry/embroidery-market/kantha-embroidery/

TYPES OF KANTHA
Archilata kantha are small, covers for mirrors or toilet fashion accessories with wide, colourful borders Baiton kantha are square wraps used for covering books and other valuables. They have elaborate borders Durjani/thalia these are quilted wallets made out of rectangular kantha pieces Lep kantha are rectangular wraps heavily padded to make warm quilts. The whole piece is stitched in a wavy pattern. Simple embroidery is done on the finished quilt. Oaar kantha are pillow covers in simple designs. A decorative border is sewn afterwards. Sujani kantha are decorative quilted kantha used as blankets or spreads during religious rituals or other occasions. This started in 18th century in Bihar. Rumal kantha are used as absorbent wipes or plate coverings. They also feature a central lotus with ornamented borders.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakshi_Kantha

USES
A light quilted covering made from the old sarees/dhotis/lungis and sometimes from sheet cloths. Large spread (Naksi Kantha in Bangla) Puja floor spread (Ason in Bangla) Cosmetic wrapper (Arshilota in Bangla) Wallet (Batwa thoiley in Bangla) Cover for Quran (ghilaf in Arabic and Bangla) Prayer mats (Jainamaz in Bangla) Floor spread (Galicha in Bangla) Cloths wrapper (Bostani, guthri in Bangla) Cover (Dhakni in Bangla) Ceremonial meal spread (Daster khan in Bangla) Pillow cover (Balisher chapa or oshar in Bangla) Handkerchief (Rumal)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakshi_Kantha

Kantha used as bed

Closeup of a kantha. In the left and bottom Paar is shown, also the running stitches (white) are seen

NAKSHI KANTHA
Nakshi Kantha or embroidered quilt is a folk art of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India that has been passed down through Kanthas are made throughout Bangladesh; but greater Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Faridpur and Jessore areas are most famous for this craft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakshi_Kantha

Traditional nakshi kantha

KINDS OF STITCHES

The basic run stitch done in a random way.

The dorma or mat

The Golak Dhaga or maze

Simple Jhod or pairs

Jhinge Phool or flower of the ridge gourd

the simple run arranged evenly

Dhaan Chori or a stem of paddy

http://www.craftandartisans.com/kantha-embroidery-of-west-bengal.html

A Jaal or tessellation

MOTIFS
Motifs of the nakshi kantha are deeply influenced by religious belief and culture. Most kanthas will have a lotus as focal point, around the lotus there are undulating vines or floral motifs or shari border motifs. The motifs may include images of flower and leaves, birds and fish, animals, kithen forms even toilet articles. While most kantas have some initial pattern, no two nakshi kantas are same. Traditional motifs are repeated, there is an individual touch in variety of stitches, colours and shapes. http://www.india-crafts.com/textile/embroidery_traditions/kantha/

Close view of a contemporary Nakshi kantha with flower motif

The Lotus Motif

The Swastika Motif

The Kalka Motif

The Tree of Life Motif

http://www.india-crafts.com/textile/embroidery_traditions/kantha/

BORDERS
The Paddy stalk or date branch (dhaner shish or khejur chari) The Scorpion border(Biche par in bangla) The Wavy or bent Border (Beki in bangla) The Diamond border (Barfi) The Eye border (chok par in bangla) The Amulet border (Taabiz par in bangla) The Necklace border (mala par in bangla) The Ladder Border (Moi taga) The Gut taga The Chick taga The nolok taga The Fish border (Maach par in bangla) The panch taga The Bisa taga The Anaj taga The shamuk taga The wrench border The anchor (grafi par in bangla) The pen border (kalam par in bangla)

http://www.sashaworld.com/kantha/kantha.htm

http://www.sashaworld.com/kantha/kantha.htm

IMPORTANCE
Kantha is not just a piece of craft but also an essential female creation. It is an expressive putting forth a volley of emotions. It is a silent symbol of women power and women empowerment. Kantha is the traditional art of Bengal. It is another testimony to the richness of the state of Bengal and our country in totality. We should endeavour to promote this richness of Indias culture and its textiles. We all should feel proud to sport a garment with kantha embroidery or the other traditional embroideries of our country.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakshi_Kantha

 Promoting Kantha will also imply economic growth of rural India. Many villages in many parts of Bengal are brimming with people, especially women, adept at the art of Kantha embroidery. The popularity of Kantha will create employment oppurtunities for these people.

KANTHA COLLECTION
Bangladesh Bangla Academy Design Centre, BSCIC Folk Art and Crafts Foundation Bangladesh National Museum India Ashutosh Museum, Kolkata Calico Museum of Textiles, Ahmedabad Gurusaday Museum, Thakurpur Organizations which make Nakshi Kantha Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB),Karu Palli Sales Centre Kumudini Handicrafts (cares) BRAC-Aarong
http://www.sashaworld.com/kantha/kantha.htm

CONTEMPORARY USES OF KANTHA

http://www.sashaworld.com/kantha/kantha.htm

http://www.monadarling.com/lifestyle/kantha-embroidery.html http://sourcing.indiamart.com/apparel/apparel-industry/embroidery-market/kantha-embroidery/

REFRENCES
WEBSITS:-

http://www.sashaworld.com/kantha/kantha.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakshi_Kantha http://www.craftandartisans.com/kantha-embroidery-of west-bengal.html http://www.indiacrafts.com/textile/embroidery_traditions/kantha/ http://www.monadarling.com/lifestyle/kanthaembroidery.html http://sourcing.indiamart.com/apparel/apparelindustry/embroidery-market/kantha-embroidery/