The Bangali Story x Kantha Kotha

Reclaimed narratives. Untold stories. New perspectives. Join The Bangali Story for an interactive Kantha stitch workshop. Come join us at East West Pizza in Shoreditch for a live and interactive kantha stitch workshop, as we host our third event showcasing the history, identity, and direction of the Bangali community. Kantha stitching originated in Bengal as a form of embroidery, typically used to stitch patchwork cloth from rags, and was a discipline that ran across all rural classes of erstwhile Bengal. Using broad running stitches, from which the name "kantha" comes, kantha fabric became an heirloom artform that has been passed down across generations and remains precious to Bangalis across the globe. We are thrilled to be able to call upon the expertise of Sukhwinder Sagoo-Reddy and Jhinuk Sarkar, who lecture at University of Arts London and Camberwell College of Arts, respectively. Together, they will lead an interactive and hands-on kantha stitching workshop, and talk us through the history of this special art form along the way. Each ticket will include dinner courtesy of East West, Smoke and Lime, and friends of the Bangali Story. Dinner will be served at the beginning of the event. The workshop will include materials (sari fabric, stitching material, and necessary tools), and of course, your finished articles can be taken home after the event. Participants are welcome to bring their own material on which they can stitch, if they would prefer this to the provided fabric. Examples of what you could bring include tote bags, jackets, kitchen towels, jeans, socks, t-shirts, or anything you wish really! Featuring: • A unique and interactive kantha stitch workshop led by Sukhwinder Sagoo-Reddy and Jhinuk Sarkar • Food from East West Pizza, Smoke and Lime, and friends of the Bangali story • A Bangali dance performance Important points: • Please arrive at the scheduled event start time to allow for the event to run in a timely manner. • Materials will be provided, although you are welcome to bring any visuals that represent your ideas. No previous experience of working with textiles is necessary! • This is an inclusive event. If you have any access requirements, please email us in advance. Kantha stitching often requires fine motor skills of hands, but we will help with threading needles and we can make adjustments to the pack of materials and tools according to your abilities. Agenda for the evening: • Welcome + Food: 6:30pm - 7:00pm • Poetry : 7pm • Kantha stitch workshop : 7:05pm - 8:15pm • Dance performance: 8:00pm • Q&A and mingle: 8:30pm • Wrap up: 9:30pm Come be part The Bangali Story’s third event that honours stories, amplifies unheard voices and recognises the power of the Bangali community.