Kantha is one of the oldest forms of embroidery that originated in India. Its origins can be traced back to the ancient pre Vedic ages. It refers to an embroidered and quilted cotton item made up of layers of old dhotis or saris, a centuries-old tradition of stitching patchwork cloth which evolved from the thrift of rural women. While the word kantha has no certain etymological root, it is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word kontha, meaning rags and is pronounced kaanthaa. Kantha is a type of embroidery typical of eastern South Asia, especially in the Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh.
