PART 1: ORIGINS OF KATHA STITCH

Necessity being a powerful force creates an ability to make something authentic and brilliant from old ragged things which acts as specifics of a place and culture. This drives humankind to define certain possibilities towards overlooked materials. Love on the other hand drives humankind to instill beauty and aesthetic delight in humble items that envelopes a layer of protection for the loved ones. This enables a deep delving into the origin of century old embroidered quilts of Bengal popularly known as its soul- Katha.

The Katha Stitch, aka Katha has its root delved into various artistic traditions of Bengal mainly popular in India and Bangladesh. Though its origin dates to thousands of years, its inception provides a subtle link to the regions’ ancient textile practices. Initially this embroidery was done by rural women through recycling of old worn-out sarees and dhotis in areas of functional quilts and clothes. The word has its derivation from a Sanskrit word “rag” reflecting its humble beginnings. This stitch not only focuses on using and creating practical items, but also symbolises an act of storytelling. Women stitched their life stories, cultural symbols and dreams onto the fabric creating a unique blend of narratives. These works often focused on depicting scenes from daily lives, mythological stories maintaining Katha as a repository of one's personal expression and cultural history. The intricacy of design patterns has made the works an artisanal excellence.

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Through the Lens of Tradition

The sari started from the regular thought of women’s clothing and was worn as a decoration by women in ancient times. At first, the sari was mostly worn by women from rural areas, yet after some time, women from every social class from privileged urbanites to bring down class ones started to track down extraordinary fascination in it. Among Eastern and Western art styles, the sari has made an exceptional position for itself in the Indian subcontinent. In the past, turbans made of silk, muslin fabric, and specialty threads were usually produced using saris. Later on, numerous kinds of saris showed up, including the Tant, Jamdani, Baluchari, Kantha, and Banarasi. These saris passed the cultures of many places on through their changed weaves. With time, they arose as a striking piece of clothing among India’s shifted cultures, transforming into an essential thing for every momentous occasion. The sari’s standing developed as the fashion industry changed. Saris acquired reputation for their stylish and fashionable allure because to this useful metamorphosis, which led to a huge number of designs and elaborate patterns. Every sari is an exceptional masterpiece made by the inventive touches of artists. As a result, saris have easily adjusted to day to day living in modern times. The market’s desire for saris has increased alongside modern living. The appeal of Bengali saris has enchanted foreign markets notwithstanding territorial ones. Bengali weavers presently have more opportunities than any time in recent memory thanks to the ease with which different online platforms can satisfy the needs of consumers. The cultural essence of the sari has not changed despite this imaginative progression. As a result, Bengali culture is still profoundly respected and brilliant all over the planet.

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