Gharey Bairey - Stitches of Kantha

Showcasing various stitches from Kantha-Sozni embroidery of the Women of Murshidabad, West Bengal

By Crafts Museum

"Kantha"

In Bengal, Kantha was a typical spare time activity of rural women. Layers of old cloth  - usually saris - were stitched together for reuse.

The word Kantha signifies both the object as well as the style of embroidery. Women spend months, sometimes even years, working on a single piece. 

Traditionally, several layers of old fabric - usually saris - were stitched together, with intricate and elaborate stitches. The technique of layering and stitching together cloth significantly extended its life and made a durable and warm textile, appropriate for bedding or cover.

The thread used for the stitches was usually pulled out of the sari itself. The meticulous artistry that was then applied transformed worn-out rags into extraordinarily beautiful creations.

"Stitches from traditional Kantha Embroidery of Murshidabad, West Bengal"

Rosogolla stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Rosogolla Stitch

Clip stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Clip Stitch

Chichinga Phool stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Chichinga Phool stitch

Tara stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Tara Stitch

Baansh Patta stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Baansh Patta Stitch

Laathi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Laathi Stitch

Tara Chutki stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Tara Chutki Stitch

Chokh stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Chokh Stitch

Laga Pan stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Laga Pan Stitch

Aaina Khopa stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Aaina Khopa stitch

Fan stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Fan Stitch

Choto Dhew stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Choto Dhew Stitch

Rosogolla stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Rosogolla Stitch

Kata Dhew stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Kata Dhew Stitch

Prodip stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Prodip Stitch

Laga Muda stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Laga Muda Stitch

Thopa Biral Paothi stich, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Thopa Biral Paothi Stitch

Haath Dhora Dhori Muda with Machi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Haath Dhora Dhori Muda with Machi stitch

S shaped stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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'S' Stitch

Haath Dhora Dhori Muda with Machi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Haath Dhora Dhori Muda with Machi stitch

Maachi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Maachi Stitch

Golak Dhandi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Golak Dhandi stitch

Angthi Stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Angthi Stitch

Angthi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Angthi stitch

Laga Baansh Patta stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Laga Baansh Patta Stitch

Loyulkhi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Lyolukhi Stitch

Jhau stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Jhau stitch

Thopa Biral Paothi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Thopa Biral Paothi stitch

Dool stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Dool stitch

Rajbari Gate stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Rajbairi gate stitch

Rajbari Gate 2 stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Rajbari Gate -2 Stitch

Choclate stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Choclate Stitch

Thopa Biral Paothi stich, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Thopa Biral Paothi stitch

S Stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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S Stitch

Dhew stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Dhew Stitch

Kata Dhew stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Kata dhew Stitch

Jhau stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Jhau Stitch

Mura stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Mura Stitch

Mou Maachi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Mou Maachi Stitch

Aaina Khopa stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Aaina Khopa Stitch

Tara stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Tara Stitch

Chashma Stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Chashma stitch

Jaal Phans stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Jaal Phaas Stitch

Kachchim stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Kachchim Stitch

Clip stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Clip Stitch

Compass stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Compass stitch

Rocket stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Rocket stitch

Pankhili stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Pankhili Stitch

Poddo stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Poddo Stitch

S shaped stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Fan stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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V shaped stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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S Stitch Fan Stitc V Stitch

Biral Paothi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Biral Paothi Stitch

Chokh stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Chokh Stitch

Haath Dhora Dhori Muda stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Haath dhora Dhori Muda stitch

Aaina Khopa stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Aaina Khopa Stitch

Biral Paothi stitch, From the collection of: Crafts Museum
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Biral Paothi Stitch

Credits: Story

Exhibition at Crafts Museum: 2013—Dr Ruchira Ghose, Mushtak Khan

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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