Nakshi Kantha

Nakshi Kantha is a kind of embroidered [নকশা] quilt. The name was taken from Bengali word, ‘Nakshi’ which means artistic [শৈল্পিক] pattern [কারুকার্যের নকশা]. It is a kind of traditional [ঐতিহ্যগত] craft [শিল্প] and is said to be indigenous [স্বদেশজাত] to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practiced in rural Bengal for centuries. The ‘Nakshi Kantha’ became popular after poet Jasim Udddin’s poem [কবিতা] “Nakshi Kanthar Math” was published in 1929. It has a far reaching effect on the field of Bangladeshi culture [সংস্কৃতি] and tradition [ঐতিহ্য]. 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 [বানিজ্যিকভাবে] and we can find them in many expensive handicraft [হস্তশিল্প] shops in cities. The quilts are now in great demand because of the colourful patterns and designs embroidered on them. Finally, we can say that “Nakshi Kantha” signifies [প্রকাশ করে] a token of Bengali culture.