3. HISTORY OF KANTHA
Today, Kantha embroidery work has become the fashion label in the Indo-
Western world. Lets find out the fascinating history of this unique art
form that remained in mystery until it was revived.
Indian textiles have the long and vast history. The textiles with their
signature embroideries explicit themselves in the modern world of today's
fashion. Fashion designers have named this nine yard mystique a
'Renaissance of style'.
Saris were first originated in India. Some of its finest examples can be
traced from the sculptures dating back to the 100 BC. Saris are basically
unstitched that belongs particularly to West Bengal. Earlier the Kantha
saris werelength of cloth measuring 42- 19'' wide and 5.5 to 9 yards which
were earlier spun in textile machines that have today become the bequest
of our times as hand loom saris.
Kantha is a art form usually drape by the women of West Bengal as to
protect themselves against the cold.
4. Kantha work involve complex artistic work done by the
weavers with the blend of exquisite embroidery in
ornamental running stitch. The traditional work on the
Kantha saris in the form of floral motifs, animals and
birds figures and geometric shapes looks amazingly
fabulous.
Renowned fashion designers in India working on
western styles and fashions, still make great use of the
ethnic traditions and their designs often depict the rich
embroidery work of the earlier craftsmen, celebrating
Indian textile tradition.
5. There are seven different types of Kantha. First is the
'Archilata Kantha' that involves the great mirror work with
the wide, decorative borders. The second one is the 'Baiton
Kantha', that are square wraps used for covering the books
and valuables. The most famous is the 'Lep Kantha' which
are rectangular wraps, used to cover the quilts. Then there
is 'Oaar Kantha', found in the pillow covers in simple
designs on which a decorative border is actually sewn
afterwards.
Not less competitive is the 'Sujani Kantha', the quilted
Kantha used as blankets on the special occasions. Last but
not the least is the 'Rumal Kantha' that are used as the
rubefacient wipes or plate coverings
6.
7. SOME INFORMATION ABOUT KANTHA STYLE :
Kantha is a type of embroidery popular in Bangladesh and in West
Bengal, India. The use of kantha is popular in saris traditionally
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.
Kantha stitching is also used to make simple quilts. Women in
Bengal typically use old saris and cloth and layer them with kantha
stitch to make a light blanket, throw or bedspread, especially for
children. Kantha is very popular with tourists visiting Bengal and is
a specialty of Bolpur/Shantiniketan, and is similar to the decorative
running stitch of Japanese sashiko quilting. Kantha originated from
the way in which Bengali housewives mended old clothes by taking
out a strand of thread from the colorful border of their saris and
making simple designs with them
8. MOTIFS :
FLORAL AND LEAF , WAVES,HUMEN PICTURES
FOLK TALE’S ,ANIMAL’S,PAISLEY , AND BIRD
MOTIFS.
9.
10. MATERIALS :
USING OF SILK ,COTTON , AND JUTE .
FABRIC .
IT ‘S A HANDCRAFT, IT CAN BE DONE BY A
SINGLE PERSON OR A BUNCHES OF
PEOPLE .
THEY USE DIFFERENT COLORED THREAD
,WITH THE HELP OF NEEDLE.
11. NOW THESE DAYS THEY ALSO ADD SOME
SEQUENCE .
ALSO USE GOLD AND SILVER THARED’S .
12. KANTHA WORK :
Kantha work is done in handbag’s,bed sheet,cushion
covers , wall hanging,folder’s ,juti or sleeper’s, in
different types of garments(kurta’s for men and
women ,salwar kameez and odhani ,shirt’s ,.
13. Color’s
THEY USE BRIGHT COLOR’S LIKE
RED,YELLOW,GREEN ,BLUE,ORANGE,MAGENTA
,PURPLE.
THEY ALSO USE WHITE ,BLACK ,AND GRAY
COLORED FABRIC FOR THE BACKGROUND’S.
16. TRADITION :
Nothing compares to the traditional Indian attire- the
saree. Apparently complicated, it so subtly defines the
beauty of a woman, bringing out her grace and
elegance. Umpteen weaves and motifs present their
enticing collection. When it comes to the most elegant
Indian traditional wear saree reflects the true essence of
Indian women. Whether plain or printed, heavily
embroidered or dyed, made from simple cotton or satin
silk, saree has got a grace that's beyond compare. Gift a
tradition, Gift a saree.