Nakshi kantha is a kind of embroidered quilt. The name was taken from the Bangla 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 practised 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, Bogura and Jashore 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 colourful patterns and designs embroidered on them.
Bangla Translation: নকশি কাঁথা হলো এক ধরনের নকশিকাঁথা। এর নাম নেওয়া হয়েছে বাংলা শব্দ ‘নকশা’ থেকে, যার অর্থ হলো শিল্পসম্মত নকশা। এটি এক ধরনের ঐতিহ্যবাহী কারুশিল্প, যা বাংলাদেশ এবং ভারতের পশ্চিমবঙ্গের স্থানীয় বলে মনে করা হয়। শতাব্দীর পর শতাব্দী ধরে এটি গ্রামীণ বাংলায় চর্চিত হয়ে আসছে। ১৯২৯ সালে কবি জসীমউদ্দীন রচিত ‘নকশি কাঁথার মাঠ’ কবিতাটি প্রকাশিত হওয়ার পর নকশি কাঁথা নামটি জনপ্রিয় হয়ে ওঠে।
প্রথাগত কাঁথাগুলো পরিবারের ব্যবহারের জন্য তৈরি করা হয়। এই কাঁথা তৈরিতে পুরনো বা নতুন কাপড় এবং সুতা ব্যবহার করা হয়। ময়মনসিংহ, জামালপুর, রাজশাহী, ফরিদপুর, বগুড়া এবং যশোর এই কারুশিল্পের জন্য সবচেয়ে বিখ্যাত। বর্তমানে এটি বাণিজ্যিকভাবে উৎপাদিত হচ্ছে। শহরের অনেক দামী হস্তশিল্পের দোকানে এই কাঁথা পাওয়া যায়। নকশার উজ্জ্বল রঙ এবং নকশিকৃত ডিজাইনের জন্য এই কাঁথার এখন প্রচুর চাহিদা রয়েছে।
Words | Bangla Meanings | Synonyms/ Meanings | Antonyms |
Embroidered (adj) | সূচিকর্ম করা | stitched; decorated; ornamented | plain; unadorned |
Quilt (n) | লেপ | blanket; bedcover; comforter | sheet |
Artistic (adj) | শৈল্পিক | creative; aesthetic; decorative | uncreative; plain |
Pattern (n) | নকশা | design; motif; arrangement | randomness; disorder |
Traditional (adj) | ঐতিহ্যবাহী | customary; classic; historic | modern; contemporary |
Indigenous (adj) | দেশীয় | native; local; aboriginal | foreign; alien |
Practise (v) | চর্চা করা | perform; execute; carry out | neglect; ignore |
Rural (adj) | গ্রাম্য | countryside; pastoral; rustic | urban; metropolitan |
Popular (adj) | জনপ্রিয় | well-known; famous; common | unpopular; obscure |
Craft (n) | হস্তশিল্প | handiwork; skill; artistry | destruction; ineptitude |
Cloth (n) | কাপড় | fabric; textile; material | plastic; metal |
Thread (n) | সুতা | yarn; fiber; strand | solid; chunk |
Commercial (adj) | বাণিজ্যিক | business-related; marketable | non-commercial; private |
Expensive (adj) | দামী | costly; pricey; luxurious | cheap; affordable |
Demand (n) | চাহিদা | need; requirement; request | surplus; excess |
A .Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:
- What is Nakshi Kantha?
A type of painting
ii. An embroidered quilt
iii. A type of furniture
iv. A musical instrument - What does the Bangla word ‘naksha’ mean?
Quilt
ii. Artistic pattern
iii. Old cloth
iv. Handicraft - Where is Nakshi Kantha indigenous to?
Nepal and Bhutan
ii. Bangladesh and West Bengal
iii. Assam and Tripura
iv. Odisha and Bihar - Who popularized the name Nakshi Kantha?
Rabindranath Tagore
ii. Jasimuddin
iii. Kazi Nazrul Islam
iv. Lalon Shah - When was the poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ published?
1919
ii. 1929
iii. 1939
iv. 1949 - What materials are used to make traditional Nakshi Kanthas?
Plastic and thread
ii. Paper and glue
iii. Old or new cloth and thread
iv. Leather and fabric - For what purpose are traditional Nakshi Kanthas made?
Commercial sale
ii. Family use
iii. Exporting abroad
iv. Decorating homes - Which of these places is NOT famous for Nakshi Kantha?
Mymensingh
ii. Rajshahi
iii. Dhaka
iv. Bogura - How is Nakshi Kantha produced now?
Only for family use
ii. Commercially
iii. As a part of agricultural activities
iv. By machines - Where can you find Nakshi Kantha today?
Grocery shops
ii. Local bazaars only
iii. Expensive handicraft shops
iv. Toy stores - What makes Nakshi Kantha highly demanded today?
Its softness
ii. Its colourful patterns and designs
iii. Its low price
iv. Its historical significance - Who wrote the poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’?
Jasimuddin
ii. Lalon Shah
iii. Rabindranath Tagore
iv. Kazi Nazrul Islam - Which year is significant in the history of Nakshi Kantha?
1919
ii. 1929
iii. 1939
iv. 1949 - What does the word ‘indigenous’ mean in the passage?
International
ii. Foreign
iii. Local or native
iv. Modern - Which area is famous for its traditional Nakshi Kantha production?
Sylhet
ii. Mymensingh
iii. Chittagong
iv. Barisal - What has caused the demand for Nakshi Kantha to increase?
Decrease in production
ii. High-quality materials
iii. Its artistic designs and patterns
iv. Government support - What is the main use of traditional Nakshi Kanthas?
Decoration only
ii. Family use
iii. Export
iv. Religious rituals - What is a common feature of Nakshi Kanthas?
Plain white fabric
ii. Embroidered colourful patterns
iii. Use of modern machinery
iv. Metallic finishes - In which century was Nakshi Kantha primarily practiced in rural Bengal?
16th century
ii. 17th century
iii. 18th century
iv. Over centuries - Which of the following is a characteristic of Nakshi Kantha?
It is made using synthetic materials.
ii. It features simple, plain designs.
iii. It is an age-old craft with colourful embroidery.
iv. It is made exclusively for export. - What kind of shops sell Nakshi Kantha in cities?
Grocery shops
ii. Expensive handicraft shops
iii. General stores
iv. Clothing stores - What makes Nakshi Kantha unique?
Its lightweight fabric
ii. Its machine-stitched design
iii. Its hand-embroidered patterns
iv. Its synthetic threads - What is the meaning of ‘Naksha’?
Old cloth
ii. Artistic pattern
iii. Commercial use
iv. Colourful thread - Which city is NOT mentioned as a producer of Nakshi Kantha?
Dhaka
ii. Faridpur
iii. Jashore
iv. Jamalpur - Why was the name ‘Nakshi Kantha’ popularized?
Due to a famous painting
ii. Due to Jasimuddin’s poem
iii. Due to export demands
iv. Due to modern marketing - What is the primary purpose of Nakshi Kantha?
Exporting to other countries
ii. Family use and personal comfort
iii. Modern fashion accessories
iv. Rituals and ceremonies - What materials were traditionally used for Nakshi Kantha?
Plastic threads
ii. Animal skins
iii. Old or new cloth and thread
iv. Wooden carvings - What is the title of the poem that popularized Nakshi Kantha?
Nakshi Kanthar Math
ii. Kanthar Sur
iii. Naksha O Gaan
iv. Banglar Katha - What is the reason for Nakshi Kantha’s current popularity?
Availability of cheap materials
ii. Vibrant colours and patterns
iii. Decline in production
iv. Simple design - How long has the craft of Nakshi Kantha been practiced?
A few decades
ii. For centuries
iii. Since independence
iv. Only in modern times - Which craft is Nakshi Kantha associated with?
Pottery
ii. Embroidery
iii. Woodwork
iv. Weaving - What differentiates traditional Nakshi Kanthas from modern ones?
Use of colourful embroidery
ii. Handmade with old cloth
iii. Manufactured for commercial purposes
iv. Use of synthetic threads - What is the key feature of Nakshi Kantha embroidery?
Use of golden thread
ii. Simple white designs
iii. Artistic and colourful patterns
iv. Digital embroidery - In which regions is Nakshi Kantha considered indigenous?
Assam and Meghalaya
ii. Bangladesh and West Bengal
iii. Nepal and Bhutan
iv. Bihar and Odisha - Which factor has contributed to the demand for Nakshi Kantha?
Modern machine production
ii. Its colourful designs and cultural value
iii. Low production cost
iv. Its association with urban life - What kind of shops mainly sell Nakshi Kantha today?
Bookstores
ii. Grocery stores
iii. Handicraft shops
iv. Hardware shops - Why is Nakshi Kantha called an artistic craft?
It uses plain patterns.
ii. It is machine-stitched.
iii. It has vibrant embroidery.
iv. It is mass-produced. - Which place is NOT famous for Nakshi Kantha?
Jamalpur
ii. Rajshahi
iii. Dhaka
iv. Jashore - How was Nakshi Kantha originally made?
Using factory machines
ii. By hand with cloth and thread
iii. With plastic materials
iv. Through digital techniques - Who contributed to the popularity of Nakshi Kantha in literature?
Lalon Shah
ii. Jasimuddin
iii. Rabindranath Tagore
iv. Kazi Nazrul Islam - Which craft is Nakshi Kantha associated with?
Pottery
ii. Embroidery
iii. Sculpture
iv. Weaving - Why is Nakshi Kantha considered a traditional craft?
It originated in factories.
ii. It is made using modern techniques.
iii. It has been practiced for centuries.
iv. It is exclusively exported. - Which region is particularly famous for its Nakshi Kantha?
Barisal
ii. Mymensingh
iii. Sylhet
iv. Chittagong - What does Nakshi Kantha symbolize?
Urban development
ii. Modern industrialization
iii. Rural artistry and tradition
iv. Mass production - Which element is essential in creating Nakshi Kantha?
Digital machines
ii. Old cloth and thread
iii. Plastic threads
iv. Imported materials - What kind of patterns does Nakshi Kantha feature?
Abstract designs
ii. Artistic and colourful patterns
iii. Geometric shapes only
iv. Plain white designs - Why is Nakshi Kantha relevant in urban areas today?
Due to its historical significance
ii. Due to its vibrant designs
iii. Due to its machine production
iv. Due to its affordability - What is unique about Nakshi Kantha embroidery?
It uses metal threads.
ii. It is plain and simple.
iii. It features vibrant patterns and designs.
iv. It is stitched using machines. - Why is Nakshi Kantha popular in handicraft shops?
It is imported from abroad.
ii. It is mass-produced in factories.
iii. It is handmade with unique designs.
iv. It is used in daily life. - What does the poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ depict?
Industrial growth
ii. Urban life
iii. The rural tradition of Nakshi Kantha
iv. Political movements
B. Answer the following questions:
- What is Nakshi Kantha?
- What does the word ‘naksha’ mean in Bangla?
- What kind of craft is Nakshi Kantha considered to be?
- Where is Nakshi Kantha said to be indigenous to?
- Who popularized the name Nakshi Kantha?
- When was the poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ published?
- What materials are used to make traditional Nakshi Kanthas?
- Why are Nakshi Kanthas made traditionally?
- Which regions in Bangladesh are famous for Nakshi Kantha production?
- How has the production of Nakshi Kantha changed over time?
- Where can Nakshi Kanthas be found for purchase now?
- Why are Nakshi Kanthas in great demand today?
- Who wrote the poem ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’?
- What types of patterns and designs are common in Nakshi Kanthas?
- How long has Nakshi Kantha been practiced in rural Bengal?
- What is the main purpose of traditional Nakshi Kanthas?
- What makes Nakshi Kantha unique compared to other quilts?
- Why are Nakshi Kanthas sold in handicraft shops in cities?
- What role does tradition play in the making of Nakshi Kantha?
- How are Nakshi Kantha patterns created?
- What inspired the popularity of Nakshi Kantha in literature?
- In what way has urbanization influenced Nakshi Kantha production?
- Why are old and new cloth used for making Nakshi Kantha?
- What is the cultural significance of Nakshi Kantha in rural Bengal?
- What is the meaning of ‘indigenous’ in the context of Nakshi Kantha?
- What makes regions like Mymensingh and Rajshahi notable for Nakshi Kantha?
- Why do people appreciate the designs of Nakshi Kantha?
- What does the popularity of Nakshi Kantha reflect about Bangladeshi culture?
- What are some challenges Nakshi Kantha may face in modern times?
- How has the demand for Nakshi Kantha influenced its production methods?