Kantha is a traditional form of embroidery with illustrations. The embroidered quilt is also known as 'Dorukha', meaning turning old pieces of cloth into things of beauty.
The embroidery sessions become an opportunity for the rural women to socialise and a welcome break from the drudgery of monotonous chores. The entire cloth is covered with running stitches, employing beautiful motifs of flowers, animals, birds and themes of everyday activities.
More than 600 rural women are involved with Kantha making in Nanoor of Birbhum district. Government of West Bengal's Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles, in association with UNESCO, has developed the Rural Craft Hub in Nanoor.
People visiting Santiniketan can plan a day tour to Nanoor to witness the Kantha tradition and the success of women led social enterprises.
Nanoor is 164 kms away from Kolkata and takes about 4 hrs to reach by car. Visitors can also avail train from Howrah station to Bolpur Santiniketan which is the nearest railway station and 18 kms away from Nanoor.
There are 1500 women engaged in Kantha weaving tradition in the neighbouring villages. One can interact with the artists and experience the weaving tr...
Kenduli is famous as the birthplace of poet Jaydev, the composer of ‘Geet Govindam’. This place is about 1 hour drive through forest from Guskara,...
Santiniketan, situated in Bolpur of Birbhum district is about 50 minutes drive from Guskara, 40 minutes drive from both Nanoor and Tepantar and 1.5 ho...
There are many hotels, resorts, guest houses and lodges in Bolpur Santiniketan including the WBTDC lodge which has 39 well furnished rooms.
The local Kantha artists of Nanoor celebrate their heritage through a village festival called Kantha Mela.
