Cancelled: Exhibition: Kantha What the Needle Remembers – Stories stitched in Kantha

This event has been cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances.

Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted.

Kantha is a story of tradition, culture, and quiet artistry — a timeless expression of creativity passed down through generations of rural artisans in Bengal. Emerging from domestic spaces, women transformed layers of cloth into objects of beauty and meaning using only a needle, thread, and time.

This showcase presents Kantha as a living and evolving art form through five distinct collections. Some works revive traditional motifs and folklore, honouring the craft’s origins. Others reflect everyday village life, nature, and local celebrations. Spiritual narratives explore faith and devotion, while contemporary pieces reinterpret Kantha through modern design, bold compositions, and global influences.

Each stitch is a deliberate act of creation by rural artisans, reflecting both heritage and empowerment. The exhibition celebrates not only embroidery as an art form, but also the women whose hands sustain this enduring tradition.

The opening day will feature a conversation highlighting three generations behind the revival and revitalisation of Kantha. The discussion will explore the women-led, home-based livelihood model that fosters economic independence and trace Kantha’s journey from a domestic craft to a globally recognised art form.

Malika Dudeja Varma, Saumya Varma, and Mahima Varma carry forward the legacy of renowned Kantha revivalist Shamlu Dudeja. Through SheKantha, they continue to preserve traditional techniques while positioning Kantha within contemporary artistic and global cultural platforms — sustaining heritage while redefining it for the future.