Kantha for the Bengali folk means embroidered quilt made with layers of old clothes. The magical artwork using simple run stitch depicted vignettes of nature and daily life. The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done with soft dhotis and saris, with a simple running stitch. When five to six layers of the cloth were embroidered together it formed a quilt. The functional kantha dorokha (“two-sided quilt”) was not a work of art, but simply what the poorest families used to keep warm. Around 2000 women are engaged in this craft in Nanoor block of Birbhum.

Learn Kantha with two embroderies artists from Bengale!
FREE TO ALL!
15 SEATS ONLY: REGISTRATIONS ON FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS TO 0832 24 200 49 / [email protected]

About the artists
Amina Yasmin

Amina Yasmin living in Gopdih village of Nanoor block, Birbhum District has evolved into a grass-root entrepreneur. She started her work with Tajkira Begum. Amina is not formally educated much, but through her Kantha Stitich works, she earns her livelihood and also generates livelihood for other women of her village. She has visted many places in India like Goa, Delhi and Kolkata. She now directly supplies to lifestyle stores like Fab India, Byloom etc.

Majeda Khatun

Majeda Khatoon is one of the young Kantha artisan from Gopdih village of Nanoor block, Birbhum District. She worked for Amina Yasmin and does beautiful intricate embroidery from her childhood days on sharees, stoles etc.

In partnership with