Kantha originated in the Bengal region (present-day West Bengal and Bangladesh) as a domestic craft practiced by rural women. The word kantha comes from the Sanskrit word “kontha”, meaning “rags” — reflecting its origin as a way of recycling worn-out saris and dhotis. Women layered old cloth pieces and stitched them together using simple running stitches to create quilts for family use.
Kantha is a style of hand-stitched embroidery traditionally made by layering old saris or cloth pieces and sewing them together with simple running stitches. Over time, it evolved from a practical household craft into a decorative and artistic textile tradition.
