Kantha Mela | Festivals From India

Agortor, Nanoor, West Bengal

Kantha Mela

18 Oct 2024 to 20 Oct 2024

Agartor village, located in Nanoor block of Birbhum district, is a vibrant cultural hub, renowned for its intricate Kantha embroidery, which sustains a rich tradition of artistic craftsmanship. In Agartor, there is a Kantha museum supported by Coal India Limited, which serves as a dedicated space to practice, promote, and safeguard the timeless tradition of Kantha embroidery. Apart from its cultural treasures, the village is steeped in history, housing the Chandidas temple and the residence of the revered 14th-century poet Chandidas, known for his “Sri Krishna Kirtan,” a poetic tribute to the divine love of Radha and Krishna. This blend of artistic tradition, historical significance, and natural beauty makes Agartor a unique destination where culture and history seamlessly converge.

During the Kantha Mela, you can visit the Kantha museum and the residence of leading Kantha weavers to know how this cultural heritage brings into life their dreams and aspirations. Get the opportunity to learn the intricate embroidery skill. Owning a piece of Kantha means not only are you celebrating and keeping alive a precious example of Bengali cultural heritage, but you are contributing to a sustainable local economy and investing in the transformation of lives by empowering rural women.

Check out more arts and crafts festivals here.

Age: 0

Hosting Type: In-person

Frequency: Once a year

Genre: Arts and Crafts, Folk Arts, Heritage, Literature, Music

Gallery

How To Get There

How To Reach Kolkata

1. By Air: The Kolkata international airport, better known as the Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, is located at Dumdum. It connects Kolkata with all the major cities of the country as well as the world.
Discover affordable flights to Kolkata on IndiGo.

2. By Rail: The Howrah and Sealdah railway stations are the two major railheads situated in the city. Both these stations are well connected to all the important cities of the country.

3. By Road: The West Bengal state buses and various private buses travel to and from different parts of the country at a reasonable cost. Some places nearKolkata are Sunderbans (112 km), Puri (495 km), Konark (571 km) and Darjeeling (624 km).

Agartor is 1.3 Km from Nanoor (Bolpur to Nanoor is 21 KM) which is the nearest bus stop. You can avail toto to Agartor. You may also reach Agartor via Natunhat from Bardhaman. Agartor from Natunhaat (27 Km). Nearest railway station is Bolpur.

Source: Goibibo

Map Link

Facilities

Family-friendly

Items & Accessories to Carry

1. Light and airy cotton clothes; Kolkata is typically very hot in March.

2. A sturdy water bottle, if the festival has refillable water stations, and if the venue allows bottles to be taken inside.

3. Comfortable footwear such as sneakers (a perfect option if it’s not likely to rain).

4. COVID packs: Hand sanitiser, extra masks and a copy of your vaccination certificate are things you should keep handy.

Connect online

About Contact Base (Banglanatak dot com)

Contact Base (Banglanatak dot com)

Contact Base (Banglanatak dot com), established in 2000, is a social enterprise dedicated to using culture as a catalyst for sustainable, community-led development across India. With expertise in safeguarding and promoting intangible cultural heritage (ICH), professionalizing traditional cultural skills, and fostering sustainable livelihoods, the organization holds an Advisory status to UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The organisation's work spans four key verticals. Art for Life (AFL) focuses on preserving and professionalizing intangible cultural heritage, empowering over 60,000 rural artists across India to sustain their traditions and livelihoods. Communication for Development (C4D) utilizes theatre to address social challenges and raise awareness on critical issues, including health, education, and the environment. Developing Entrepreneurship strengthens creative enterprises and supports women entrepreneurs, fostering economic empowerment. Finally, Responsible Cultural Tourism promotes inclusive, sustainable tourism centred on rural cultural heritage, enhancing community identity and pride. See the complete list of festival organisers here.

Contact Details

Website

https://banglanatak.com/home

Mail ID

banglanatak@gmail.com

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