বাংলায় পড়ুন
These fabrics are soft and the inexplicable embroidery will make sure you are left with awe. The fabrics will remind you of your childhood winter day, bring back nostalgia for sure!
Well, we are talking about Bengal’s quintessential quilt version of ‘Kantha’. The profligate Kantha and the exclusive embroidered one known as ‘Nakshi Kantha’ is still intact in Bengal. Apart from Wax Museum, Eco Park or Misti Hub, if you wish to see spectacular Kantha Work accumulated under one roof, you must drop by at the Kantha Museum of Ambedkar Bhavan, Salt Lake. The traditional artwork featuring folk scenes in Kantha has been practised in Bengal for many centuries. Day to day folk scenes was often the source of inspiration for embroiderers of Kantha. According to one of the information board on the museum wall, materials that were used make Kanthas were old saris, lungis, and dhotis. Not just a survival strategy for the dwellers of remote villagers, Nakshi Kantha made its place in poet Jasimuddin’s poetic verses ‘Nakshi Kanthar Maath/ নক্সী কাঁথার মাঠ’ (Field of Embroidered Quilt) back in 1928.
Motifs in the early form of Kantha embroidery depicted nature symbols that were found in the ancient art form such as the tree of life, the sun, and the cosmos. Even today, the traditional Kantha embroidery depicts the symbols which remain closely connected to nature and historic culture. Speaking about the museum, the primary objectives of this museum is to commemorate and acknowledge the contributions of the artist who nurtured and promote Kantha art in Bengal. Step inside the museum and you are bound to get lost (in a good way though). An exquisite collection of Nakshi Kantha, some of which are more than 150-years old. Each of the stitches you spot will have a district aesthetic tone and unique stitch work vocabulary. So, if you’re keen and passionate about the dying art form of Bengal and want to enlighten yourself with knowledge then this is truly a place to dig and quench your thirst.
