Kantha is embroidered by hand, usually on cotton and silk quilts. The embroidery features rich and vibrant imagery of everyday scenes of the people that live in the area. The Kantha artisans translate their neighbours and friends into intricate beautiful works of art.

We have been working with Ajija Sultana from Nanoor village in West Bengal who learnt the age-old embroidery technique, Kantha, from her mother. We worked very closely with Ajija's mother to create our own collection of tote bags.


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NB X KANTHA ARTISANS

NB X KANTHA ARTISANS

 

About the Craft

Kantha is one of the oldest embroidery art form in the South Asian region and largely practiced in the Bengal and Bangaldesh regions.
The embroidery features rich and vibrant imagery of everyday scenes of the people that live in the area. However, Kantha is more than a simple bearing of nostalgia- it is a testament to the devotion, labour and aspirations of the women of Bangladesh and West Bengal.
It is a skill passed down, more often thn not by the women of the family, as an heirloom for generations to cherish - the stitches of Kantha echo unsaid stories, secrets and desires. Hence, the needlework of Kantha is also described as a 'Women's Art'.

Building Artisans

Ever since No Borders came into being, we have been passionate about working with groups of artisans from around the country who have spent years mastering their arts and crafts, passing it down from generation to generation. One such artisan is Ajija Sultana from Nanoor village in West Bengal who learnt the age-old embroidery technique, Kantha, from her mother.
Ajija's Mother- Afroza, picked up Kantha in the 1970s when the embroidery had just seen its revival after the Liberation War. Ajija then grew up wrapped in the comforts of the humble embroidery. Learning the craft by the age of 12, she would sit with her mother and stitch stories of longing marriage, motherhood and happiness on the quilt.