Handicrafts

Although the word Kantha has no definite etymology, it is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word kontha, meaning rags. One of the oldest forms of embroidery originated in India, its origins date back to pre-Vedic times (before 1500 BC), although the earliest records date back 500 years. In his book titled Sri Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, poet Krishnadas Kaviraj writes how Chaitanya's mother sent a homemade Kantha to her son in Puri through itinerant pilgrims. Kantha's revival was again cut short during the partition of India in 1947 and the ensuing conflict between India and what was then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).