Kantha
Bengal Kantha Sari
“A heavily patterned cutwork woven sari, inspired by the intricate style of jamdani weaving.”
The body is adorned with an all over design of delicate floral butis arranged in vertical rows interspersed with rhombus-shaped dots that evoke the beauty of rain showers. Together, the motifs create the vision of a blossoming garden draped in gentle drizzle.
The intricately patterned border and pallu (end-piece) closely resemble a traditional Dhakai sari. The use of thicker threads as extra wefts enhances the depth of the motifs.
With its soothing colour palette and airy texture, the sari exudes a fresh and summary appeal.
Purity; spiritual awakening; cosmic order. Identified across the lengthwise borders of this object.
Open motif entryContinuity; the rhythm of nature. Identified across the creeping borders of this object.
Open motif entryIn cutwork (sometimes called the lattice or jaal jamdani method), the supplementary pattern weft is floated freely across the back of the cloth and then carefully sheared away between motifs once the weaving is done — leaving crisp, isolated figures on a sheer ground. It is the everyday cousin of true jamdani, faster to weave and widely produced in Bengal and Varanasi.