Lesson 2: Nakshi Kantha

Key Words: quilt, artistic, commercially, traditional, demand, pattern

A. Look at the picture and the questions. Then 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 Excerpt from The field of the embroidered quilt by Jasimuddin

Spreading the embroidered quilt, She works the livelong night, As if her poet were On his bereaved plight.

Many a joy and many a sorrow Is written on her breast; The story of Rupai’s life is there, Line by line expressed. “How will he bear the pain, mother?”

On this quilt lies all of mine— All my pain and my grief, Embroidered line by line. So lay it on my grave, mother. This picture of my grief, That his and mine upon its breast May mingling find relief.

Translation: E. M. Milford

B. Now, read the text to know about Nakshi Kantha.

Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bengali word, 'naksha,' which means artistic pattern. It is a kind of traditional craft and is said to be indigenous to Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. The art has been practiced in rural Bengal for centuries. The name ‘Nakshi Kantha’ became popular after the poet Jasimuddin’s poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ was published in 1929.

Traditional kanthas are made for family use. Old or new cloth and thread are used to make these quilts. Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rajshahi, 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 colorful patterns and designs embroidered on them.

C. Write a paragraph describing how the Nakshi Kantha is made. Start like this:

Old or new cloth and colored thread are needed. First, the cloth is folded…

D. Do you like a Nakshi Kantha or an ordinary Kantha? Why?

E. Complete the sentences with clues given:

Bengali, patterns, embroidery, years, fashion, art, rural, designs, quilt, naksha

1. Naksha means artistic _____
2. The name was taken from a _____ word.
3. The art has been practiced in _____ Bengal for _____
4. Nakshi Kanthas are now sold in _____ shops.
5. Nakshi Kanthas are in great demand because of their colorful _____
6. Nakshi Kanthas are a kind of _____

F. Write down five questions for the completed statements in Activity E above.

One is done for you.

1. What does naksha mean?

G. Work in pairs. Ask and answer all the questions in Activity F. Now, write 3-4 more questions on the text given in Activity B above.