Kantha embroidery of Bengal

Kantha is a kind of embroidery native to Bengal and is almost exclusively practised by women, many of them from home. It is a source of income for a lot of rural women who probably sell their exquisite craft to a middleman for a song, not knowing the astronomical price it will fetch from the final buyer. That’s economics for you! Kantha Kantha Kantha

This piece and the border were cut off from an old saree because the body was disintegrating. Fortunately the border and pallav were intact so I put it on one of Ma’s sarees. The narrow black border that you can all along the edge is part of her saree. So this a joint collaboration between Ma, Mejdi (my sister)¹ and me!

“Absolutely super fun and wonderful experience to be a part of Joy Bimal Roy’s fabulous creations, ideas and exotic world. His attention to detail is far superior than many professionals I have worked with. Last but not the least, it was great to get out of shorts and into my favourite outfit, the ever graceful, ever gorgeous saree. Felt beautiful. I love sarees. My Grandfather said sarees suited me most and my Grandmother used to make my cousin and me wear her sarees as kids after we were started off with bedsheets to practice with.”

Radhika Nag, Model /Art Director

Model in the header pic: Radhika Nag
Concept up-cycling, styling and photography: Joy Bimal Roy
Location: The Roys Bungalow, Bandra

¹Yashodhara Roy designed costumes for films such as Govind Nihalani’s Hazar Chaurasi Ki Ma and Takshak.