East India, Barasat Embroidery, West Bengal
Originating From the State of West Bengal.
The Kantha stitch evolved many years ago when women layered up their old cotton sarees and stitched them using running stitches to make throws, coverlets, light quilts.
What started as a running stitch soon evolved into a language and came to be known as the Kantha stitches. Today this stitch is used on garments, sarees, dupattas and other accessories. The entire embroidery belt in Barasat district has about 2000 skilled Muslim artisans who are engaged with this craft. Most of the embroidery is done by women. Involves intricately stitching layers of old fabric, typically sarees, to create aesthetic patterns and designs. Using simple running stitches, artisans craft unique textures and motifs, blending functionality with artistic expression in this traditional Bengali art form.
