3-day exhibition, sale of Nakshikanta kicks off at Nandan complex

Kolkata: A three-day exhibition cum sale of Banglar Nakshikanta was inaugurated at Gaganendra Shilpo Pradarshanshala at Nandan complex on Friday afternoon.

Nakshi Kantha is a type of embroidered quilt and is a century-old tradition in East Bengal.

Mymanshingh, Rajsahi, Faridpur and Jessore, all in Bangladesh, were famous centres for Nakshi Kantha. After Partition in 1947, many Nakshi Kantha artists from East Pakisthan came to India and got settled in North Bengal, Malda and Murshidabad.

The basic material used are cotton thread and cloth like old saris, lungis and dhotis. However, now new cloth is used to make nakshi kantha.

Most of the Nakshi kantha artists are women and during leisure they make the kanthas. Asans (Puja floor spread) made of Nakshi Kantha are very popular. Pillow covers, wallets, bedspreads, cushion covers and handkerchiefs made of nakshi katha are very popular. Nakshi katha have become popular in foreign countries and are used as room decoration at hotels and community halls. The designs made on the kantha have deep religious bearings. There are Lotus motiff, sun and moon motiff, wheel and swastika motiff, tree and kalka motiff. Sarees made of Kantha stitch have become quite popular. The Nakshi kantha artists take part in exhibitions that are held in different states and it has become very popular outside Bengal.