Portrait of Kantha
Kantha embroidery is a textile art in Eastern India that dates back over 500 years. It involves recycling old saris, dhotis, and household textiles using the kantha technique to create quilts and jackets.
Salvaged yarn is used to create beautiful embroidery designs. Kantha stitching is similar to Japanese Sashiko stitching, and both share a common origin in recycling old textiles.
Kantha-making is now used to sustain traditional skills and create income. Kantha stitching is gaining popularity for its beauty and sustainability. It offers a more ethical approach to purchasing and caring for clothing and accessories, aligned with the current trend of moving away from fast fashion. The term kantha, among many, refers to the stitching style instead of the object.
Our coordinator, Shumayala, took the images above during one of her monthly visits to the village of Barmed in Rajasthan. This personal relationship is very important to the ladies and Shumayala. The visits provide the opportunity to pass on stories about what the fabric has been made into.