‘Dear Dreamchild’ is Suta’s latest collection of kantha stitch sarees that narrates tales close to our heart!
Kantha is a craft that finds its origins in the quaint villages of Bengal and has been a skill that’s woven its way through generations of families. Through centuries, partitions, revolutions and industrialization, Kantha embroidery is one such craft that’s stood the test of time and is widely known for the sheer versatility of motifs.
So what is Kantha? To put it shortly, Kantha stitch is an embroidery craft that involves stitching patchwork motifs from rags or recycled clothes. Like most crafts, Kantha was born as a result of multiple factors like geography, availability of textiles and resources and so on. Production of textiles was a labour intensive task which resulted in families reusing old fabrics and rags and creative tasks like embroidery were given to the women of the family to practise. While there is no conclusive proof of the origins of the term ‘Kantha’, it is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Kontha’ which translates to rags, as the craft usually finds its canvas on recycled cloth.
The most interesting aspect of Kantha is that there are no fixed motifs nor graphics, instead the artistic freedom lies entirely with the artisan who chooses to illustrate cultural symbols, folk beliefs, excerpts from mythology, wildlife and anything their heart desires. The craft is mostly practised by the women of the village as they make time, from their busy day doing household chores and managing their cattle and so on. Before, women would usually stitch exquisite pieces for gifting purposes or special occasions. Intricate and thick quilts would also be stitched through layering fabrics to keep families warm during the harsh winters.
At present, Kantha is mostly practised for commercial purposes and it has opened up employment opportunities for these women and helped them earn an income for themselves. An entire piece of Kantha embroidery can take anywhere between one month to a year, depending on the extent of intricacy. Kantha is also sustainable in its approach of hand-stitched motifs and recycling old or worn clothes.
Past down from generations and finding its way into the hearts of Su and Ta, our latest saree collection, ‘Dear Dreamchild’ pays homage to the beauty and ambiguity of Kantha where we’ve woven stories close to our heart and stories that we’re sure will resonate with you. From sisterhood to inclusivity to family, this collection is a dream project of 2 years that’s finally hitting our product roster.
Check out our kantha stitch saree collection and be sure to find the perfect weave for your wardrobe! Happy saree shopping, Queens!
Written by Suta Bombay
Visit author's website
