Alpona On Fabric: Exquisite Kantha Embroidery

Alpona designs are a popular form of floral art that Bengali women put on the floor during festivals and weddings in India and Bangladesh. The designs made of rice flour paste are intricate and very unique. These elaborate patterns are also embroidered on fabrics by the women of Bengal, taking an ordinary piece from mundane to sublime.

Shamlu Dudheja is one such woman, who along with her daughter is designing resplendent pieces of work 
on sarees, scarfs, dupattas, outfits and furnishings through a non-profit outfit SHE (Self Help Enterprise),   focussed on women's welfare in rural parts of India. It provides training and support to women, who produce exquisite Kantha pieces for global customers. The proceeds from the sale of these items are put back into the welfare, health and education of the women and their families.


Take a look and decide for yourself if these are any less exquisite than a Lalique or Lladro pieces! Pick from these saris, scarfs, salwar suits, tunics this diwali for an alluring and classy look. Do not miss the furnishing pieces below.

Red floral embroidery

 Raasleela on a cream Tussar Sari

Hibiscus on a black crepe sari

Black and red jacket and scarf

Blue and fuchsia jacket and scarf

Black and red jacket and scarf

Yellow and brown crepe embroidered

Pink and blue Georgette all-over work

Maroon silk geometric work

Pink and turquoise freestyle design

Red and blackWarli deisgn

Red and black crepe sari with embroidery

Cream crepe with floral relief embroidery

Anarkali churidar-dupatta set

Pink floral embroidery

Blue tussar with figurative floral embroidery

Black silk embroidered bedcover

Black throw

 Black throw with mandala at the centre

Cream throw: Raasleela

Hibiscus cushion cover

Via: SHE