Kantha

A beautiful book on the tradition of kantha, an Indian embroidery technique with a rich heritage rooted in storytelling and upcycling, with inspiration and techniques for contemporary makers. The word ‘kantha’ is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word ‘kontha’, meaning rags. It refers to both the style of running stitch, as well as the finished cloth: quilted textiles made from multiple layers of cast-off cloth embroidered with threads pulled out from the borders of old saris and dhotis. These beautiful fabrics were created exclusively by women in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. In this richly illustrated book, award-winning textile artist Ekta Kaul explores the history of the kantha tradition.