Kantha Quilting is a special kind of traditional Quilting method which popularized in West Bengal. It is a kind of craft that requires both hard work and patience. It has been passed down throughout years from mothers to daughters. The best part about kantha Quilting is that it is completely made from old clothes like reused sari and it turns into wonderful pieces of art. Through these kantha quilts, the women are able to narrate about their lives, the kind of activities they do and nature.
The Origin
The word ‘kantha’ is derived from the Sanskrit derivative called kontha which prefers to torn clothes or rags. This means that creating kantha quilts is a practice of using very old and worn out clothes so that new and functional clothing could be invented. This began earlier than the thirteenth century. One woman of rural Bengal used to sit and stitch together pieces of her old saris so that her family does not suffer in the cold and she could create warm blankets for them. These blankets had amazing quality and were really durable. Eventually, many women began to follow this practice.
How is Kantha Quilting done?
Kantha Quilting can also be described as a combination of art and craft. All a person needs is a needle and a thread. Every quilt comes with its own feelings , identity and story. At first, the women collect their old saris and clothes. They attempts to cut it into a sizes that are equal in length and breadth. Then they excellently and skillfully layer it together to create a thick fabric with a quilted look. Then they use a needle and thread to make Quilting stitches which allows to hold the layers firmly together. The artist used her mind, creativity and designing to create a wonderful set of intricate designs and patterns, which showcases her innovative spirit.
Themes that are Common in Kantha Quilting
There are a variety of common themes in the art of kantha Quilting. Many designs are related to nature. You can spot floral patterns or birds which showcases the prettiness of the natural world. Sometimes the artists also showcased the designs of everyday rural life like how they helped in farming, cooking and cleaning of the house. Sometimes you can also find pots which showcased men carrying pots of water down the hill or vegetable baskets on their head. Also, there were kantha quilts where gods and goddesses were showcased which proved the beauty and richness of Indian culture. The reason why Kantha Quilting is important is because it shows how rags can also turn into riches because the artists are creating something meaningful and extraordinary out of something completely ordinary.
As traditional markets have greatly subsided and machine made copies that are cheap are available everywhere, kantha Quilting has faced a significant amount of decline. However, there are still a number of artist organisations in West Bengal who are helping in regaining this art as this kind of creativity does not deserve to die. Other than that, artists are starting to record the entire process of creating the kantha quilt so that the customers can see how much labor is required, and they can appreciate it for the same. New designs are also being created on topics that are relatable to the pop culture of 2025 so that it may look attractive to gain new customers.
In conclusion, kantha Quilting is an art form which is truly one of a kind. When Bengal was suffering from intense famines, it helped the women to put food on the tables by selling their hard work in the form of these quilts.
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee