Important India

Discover India with Important India

  • Home
  • About
  • History
  • Important India
  • Categories
  • TOU
  • Contact Us

Bengal Kantha / Kantha of Bengal

On July 1, 2013 By Avinash Tripathi Category: Handicraft

The Bengal Kantha or Kantha of Bengal can be discussed under the following heads, based on location :

  1. West Bengal Kantha
  2. Kantha of Bangladesh

West Bengal Kantha

West Bengal districts deserve special mention in the context of Nakshi Kantha . Nakshi Kantha stitching of Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, Bankura, Midnapore, Howrah, Burdwan, Birbhum and North and South 24 Parganas are beautiful works of Bengali Women.

The dorokho (double-sided) Kantha is also made in West Bengal andare known for its variety of designs and motifs.

Kantha of Murshidabad

The Kanthas are thick. The running stitch and the small sitich is used. The popular folk works are Sujni Kanthas, Lep Kantha, Roasted Kantha , Arsilata. The Kantha works have lotus motif in the center and alpana and floral designs. The motifs used are flowers, owl, birds, elephant, peacock, betel leaves, etc.

Kantha of Malda

Malda Known for its beautiful Kanthas. The designs are Lahari and geometric, with small series used in the vacant spaces of the designs. The motifs are seen are those of peacock with feathers spread, betel leaves, boat, mat, sun, and flowers.

Kantha of West Dinajpur

Kanthas are quite heavy in West Dinajpur. The small stitch is used and the reasons are peacock, bird, fish, tiger, elephant, fan, nutcrackers, flowers.

Kantha of Nadia

The running stitch is mainly used as well as the small stitch. Sujni, durjani, dorokha (two-sided) Kanthas can be found here. The lotus flower motifs dominate alpana. The motifs such as elephant, fish, peacock,kalka, human figures, tree of life, deities are commonly used.

Kantha of Bankura

Floral and other designs attract special attention. The Motifs are, dog, bear, monkey,the tree of life, peacock, betel leaves etc

Kantha of Burdwan

The tradition of gifting Kanthas to the bride on her wedding still continues.

Kantha of Birbhum

Muslim girls emphasize the geometric pattern. Hindus also make Kanthas in Birbhum area. A particular feature is the twisted flower in Kanthas. The most common motif is the flower, although other motifs are also found.

Kantha of North 24 Parganas

Almost all kinds of Kantha Stitches are found. Wide variety of Motif pattern are common denoting the rick flok art tradition of North 24 Parganas. Kantha of various sizes and designs and high quality of needle emboridery reflects the imaginative power of the Bengali Women. Border designs include geometric, abstract etc. The Motifs are peacock, boat, shell, fish, elephant, scenes from the epics, deities etc.

Kantha of Bangladesh

The most popular Kanthas of Bangladesh, based on location are:

1. The Jessore Kantha

2. The Chapai Nawabganj Kantha

Jessore Kantha

Jessore Kantha is known for its superb art. The Jessore Kantha stitching is known for its fine stitching. The spaces between designs and motifs are filled up with thread work.

Jessore stitch is well known in the world of needle-work and common stitches that are used are the honeycomb, Benki, Pimpri etc. The motifs include different types of flowers. The dorokha Kantha is also seen in Jessore.

Chapai Nawabganj

Five types of Kanthas are made in Champainawabganj such as - the Lahari, leak, sujni, carpet and chhoptana without mixing types of stitches. A single stitch is used to complete the entire Kantha work, such as cross stitch for Carpet Kantha or one stitch for Sujni Kantha.

The Champainawabganj Kanthas are also known for Kantha Motifs that cover the entire surface. These Motifs include flower shapla, betel leaves, rose flower. The Motifs further include, peacock, deer, parrot,globe, elephants, weaver bird nest, mosque. etc.

Lahari Kantha is the oldest Kantha of Champainawabganj and Rajsahi District. Lahari Kantha Work is famous for designer carpet with flower motifs all over it.

Kanthas of other districts of Bangladesh

Chittagong Kantha

Kantha Embroidery of geometric patterns, flowers are found here. The stitches are light and thin. Kadam Flower is used very often in design Motifs. The running stitch, shadow stitch, cross stitch of Kantha are also found here. It is customary to give at least two works of Kantha to girls on their wedding. In general, the Kantha quilting is found in Chittagong.

Kantha Work of Mymensingh District

The Kantha work displays wide use of variety of colors. Running stitch is used on Dastarkhan Kanthas. The Kanthas of this region are noted for taga stitching. The Kanthas have alpana design or lotus center around which is other designs are stitched. The Motifs of the elephant, fish, peacock, tiger, butterfly, horses, mosque, palanquin, boat, etc. are commonly used.

Kantha Works of Faridpur

The Kantha work of Faridpur district were of medium thickness. The Kanthas are made for bed rooms and palanquins.

Kantha of Kushtia

These Kanthas are made of thick thread. The art work is also not very fine. Bending stitch is widely used. Rajsahi influence is seen in the Kanthas here. There is a preference for vegetables, thechokh (eye), the sweet barfi etc

Kanthas of Bagura

Kanthas works are very thick. Paar Kantha is found here. Many colored yarns are used to make rows of borders.

Kantha of Pabna

The Sujni Kanthas of Pabna distirct are closely intertwined and have fewer motifs.

Sylhet

These Kanthas of Sylhet are thick and have a lot of motifs.

Dinajpur

The practice of Kantha stitching is less widespread. Kantha Asan is the most often with Kantha paar designs.

Barisal

The designs are linear and is button-hole stitch.

Related posts:

  1. Hand Embroidery in India
  2. Embroidery of Tamil Nadu | Tamil Embroidery
  3. Information on Nakshi Kantha (Folk Art of Bengal)
  4. Kantha Embroidery of Bengal
  5. Article on Kantha Saree, Designer Kantha Sarees
  6. Kantha Stitches / Kantha Stitching / Kantha Embroidery Stitches
  7. Border Motifs of Kantha
  8. Kantha, Kanthas
  9. Kantha Quilts

Category: Handicraft Tagged With: Arts and Crafts of West Bengal, Kantha Embroidery

Related Posts

  1. Hand Embroidery in India
  2. Embroidery of Tamil Nadu | Tamil Embroidery
  3. Information on Nakshi Kantha (Folk Art of Bengal)
  4. Kantha Embroidery of Bengal
  5. Article on Kantha Saree, Designer Kantha Sarees
  6. Kantha Stitches / Kantha Stitching / Kantha Embroidery Stitches
  7. Border Motifs of Kantha
  8. Kantha, Kanthas
  9. Kantha Quilts

Search ImportantIndia.com

Tag Cloud

Women In India Water Tribal People of India Tradition Tourism Short Moral Stories for Children Science and Technology Rivers in India Pollution Minerals in India Maratha Empire Mahatma Gandhi Indian Festivals Indian Constitution History of Akbar Freedom Fighters of India Family System Education System in India Education Ecosystem Communication Buddhism Battles and Wars in India Art and Architecture Agriculture in India

Categories

Archives

  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • Categories
  • History of India
    • History of Ancient India
    • History of Medieval India
    • History of Mughal Empire
    • Modern History of India
  • Important India
    • Administration in India
    • Indian Constitution
    • Parliament of India
  • Indian Geography
  • Indian Government
  • Indian Literature
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Report an Article
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Copyrights.

Copyright 2013 -2017 · Discover the Importance of India ·