Nakshi Kantha

Key words: quilt    artistic    commercially    traditional    demand    pattern  

 

A   Look at the picture and the questions. Them ask and answer the questions with your partner.

1.       What do you see in the picture?

2.       What is it called?

3.       Have you seen it before? Where?

4.       What do we do with it?

B  Now read the text to know about Nakshi Kantha.

Nakshi Kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from a Bengali word `naksha’ which means artistic pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and said to be indigenous to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practiced in rural Bengal for centuries. The name `Nakshi Kanthar Math’ was published in 1929.

Traditional kanthas are made for family use. Old or new cloth and thred are used to make this quilts. Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Ranshahi, 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.