Katha is a style of embroidery that originates from eastern region of Indian Subcontinent. Traditionally used in adorning quilts, this embroidery is now popular on sarees, dupattas, kurtas and even furnishings such as bed covers and cushions. To be more specific, these patterns are now used on sarees, giving rise to the hugely popular kantha sarees of Bengal. These sarees are produced on a commercial scale today involving various stakeholders such as fabric wholesalers, trained designers and merchandisers, but the embroidery continues to be done by the rural craftswomen of Bolpur, with the art being passed down through the generations over several centuries. Each saree takes weeks or sometimes even months to prepare, depending on the intricacy of the embroidered patterns. This in turn, determines the final price of a katha saree. The embroidery not only depicts the stitches employed but it also expresses the outflow of the people's creative, resourceful, imaginary, patient craftsmanship. It is now a much loved enhancing garment and has become an in - vogue fashion trend. The hand-embroidered katha sarees of Santiniketan – the land of Rabindranath Tagore, are regarded as high-valued, prized possession of Bengal & all saree lovers. This exotic form of embroidery bears the value of high artistic impressions. Such an aesthetic beauty has created it's own level of international identity and occupies a unique status even in the time of modern fashion.
