Honouring Rabindranath Tagore's Kantha Legacy on his 83rd Death Anniversary

The glorious state of West Bengal has not merely produced culture but has continually redefined it. From the traditional jatra (Bengali term for drama) to the vibrant realm of rock music, Bengal has significantly contributed to the cultural medley of Bharat.

Not to boast, but the legacies Bengal has forged are countless. Yet, today on the 7th of August, one particular man comes to mind - Mr. Rabindranath Tagore.

The first non-European laureate of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Tagore was a polymath - musician, poet, painter, playwright, philosopher, social reformer, and founder of Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan. Known as the Bard of Bengal, he is also revered as Kobiguru, Biswokobi, and Gurudeb.

Creator of the national anthems of India and Bangladesh, Tagore's lesser-known legacy is his craftsmanship in kantha. Like Gandhi is to Khadi, Tagore is to Kantha.

Kantha's origin can be traced back to the pre-Vedic age, making it one of the oldest forms of embroidery. In 1940, Pratima Devi (Tagore’s daughter-in-law) and himself revived kantha in Shantiniketan as a part of a rural reconstruction programme.

Kantha encompasses both the intricate art of running the stitch and the exquisite finished textile it creates. Both the rich and rural women dedicated their time to the craft. Though the outcomes varied, the stitch wasn’t limiting but stood as a unifying force

Nearly a century later, today the craft of kantha thrives merely, faces challenges and has however become limiting. Rural artisans of Bengal and other North-East Indian states continue their work, yet struggle for buyers and recognition.

Here is where we step in.

As designers and Bengalis nurtured on Tagore’s music and romanticism, kantha had to be retold and reintroduced. And not just in the traditional way but with a modern twist to appeal and captivate a broader audience and restore its prominence yet again.

The mission of Maheejaa Bags is to uplift rural artisans who have devoted their entire lives to this craft. We integrate kantha into leather handbags, tote bags, wallets, sling bags and backpacks.

Our touch of modernism layered in tradition has become a hit among women. An exact embodiment of today’s women.

On this 83rd anniversary of Tagore's passing, and reflecting on the myriad contributions he initiated, of which only a few have endured. Honouring his kantha legacy is on the top of our charts.

If you haven’t already explored our brand, we urge you to do so and share the word.

Tags : Baise Srabon, Rabindranath Tagore, Handcrafts