kantha

Kantha embroidery, practiced by women in West Bengal, Orissa, and Bihar, originated as a way to repurpose old fabrics by quilting them together for home use, especially for children's covers. Over time, the basic running stitch evolved to create floral and other motifs, giving the fabric a printed look. Today, Kantha is used on new textiles for saris, dupattas, shawls, and home furnishings, with increased intricacy and detail.