The amazing woven Kantha work sarees

Saree is the India’s traditional wear. It is most preferred attire during Indian wedding. The Kantha is a kind of embroidery work popular in West Bengal and Bihar. It is a simple running stitch done on sarees. The motifs of animals, birds, flowers, and geometrical shapes of on saris are yet simple and traditional. Running stitch, darning stitch, stain and loop stitches are commonly used in Kantha work.

The stitching on the cloth gives it a slight wrinkled, wavy effect. Price range depends on the expensive fabric and kind of Kantha work done. Archilata Kantha, durjani or thalia, baiton Kantha, sujani Kantha, oaar Kantha, rumal Kantha are some of the varied designs used in Kantha work. Most often Kantha work is used to design sarees borders and pallus with elaborate figures.

Mercerized pashmina cotton saree of Kantha thread work is classy. These are apt to daily casual, corporate office and college professors. Artistically designed pure silk sari of Kantha work which depict Indian folk art designs on pallu and borders is graceful. This fancy wear is apt to evening parties, cultural programs. Lustrous tussar silk saree embellished with Kantha work and kundans is wear for wedding and bridal occasions.

Kantha stitching is also used to make simple quilts, commonly known as Nakshi Kantha. Women in Bengal typically use old saris and cloth and layer them with Kantha stitch to make a light blanket, throw or bedspread, especially for children. Kantha is very popular with tourists visiting Bengal and is specialty of Bolpur.

Kantha is still the most popular form of embroidery practiced by rural women. The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done with soft dhotis and saris, with a simple running stitch along the edges. Depending on the use of finished product they were known as Lepkantha or Sujni Kantha.

The embroidered cloth has many uses including women’s shawls and covers of mirrors, boxes, and pillows. In the best examples, the entire cloth is covered with running stitches, employing beautiful motifs of flowers, animals birds and geometrical shapes, as well as themes from everyday activities. The stitching on the cloth gives it a slight wrinkled, wavy effect. Contemporary Kantha is applied to a wider range of garment such as sarees, dupatta, shirts for men and women, bedding and other furnishing fabrics, mostly using cotton and silk.

Kantha was almost never made for money, and idea of using this embroidery commercially, originated more in urban groups where young women were trained from scratch, rather than from women who have done this work all their lives.

Unnati Silks, has trendy designs, attractive patterns, in pleasing colours and combinations in its wide collection of Kantha work Sarees and salwar suits, at very reasonable prices.

Unnati is one of the largest Indian ethnic online websites with over 300 varieties of traditional sarees and salwar kameez.Dispatch is within 24 hours of order. Free delivery & COD is provided for retail.Worldwide express shipping caters to almost all countries across the world.

Prachi.L She is a freelancer long associated with ethnic fabrics, known for her special leaning towards ethnic sarees. She enjoys the privilege of being a part-time consultant to Unnati Silks. S.E-mail her at unnatikaro@gmail.com.