Nakshi Kantha
Look, Listen & Say
Key words : quilt artistic commercially traditional demand pattern handicraft indigenous embroidered
A. Look at the picture and the questions. Then ask and answer the questions with your partner.
B. Now read the text to know about nakshi kantha.
Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bengali word, 'naksha' which means artistic pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practised in rural Bengal for centuries. The name Nakshi Kantha' became popular after the poet Jasimuddin's poem “Nakshi Kanthar Math' was published in 1929.
Traditional kanthas are made for family use. Old or new cloth and thread are used to make these quilts. Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Bogra and Jessore are most famous for this craft. Now it is produced commercially. You can find them in many expensive handicraft shops in cities. The quilts are now in great demand because of the colourful patterns and designs embroidered on them.