Embroidered - by Farida Zaman (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Threads and patched cloth of a kantha blanket weave together a generational story of family, culture, and tradition

In this intimate tale of a South Asian tradition, a kantha blanket tells the story of the four generations of women it belongs to: Great Nani, Nani, Ma, and finally, the youngest daughter, who will keep the blanket safe for the next generation.

The kantha blanket is part of the family for many years. Each mother wraps her newborn daughter in its soft folds. Over time, the blanket's original layers wear thin, but the blanket is patched with old sarees, and new stories are embroidered into the cotton fabric. By the time it reaches the youngest daughter, it holds stories of the past, stitched with love, while continuing to collect stories of the present.

Told from the perspective of a kantha blanket speaking to a child, this story brings a unique lens to a Bengali tradition that highlights the significance of repurposing clothing for future generations as an act of care and identity--along with the emotional and historical significance of sarees.