In an endeavour to retell stories of one of the quintessential art traditions of Bangladesh, Maleka Khan — activist, researcher, and author — penned 'Nakshi Kantha: Bangladesher Nandito Shilper Smarok'.

Claiming the late afternoon of Monday, 5 November, 2018 for the launch of this very book, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro of the capital's Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, dedicated to enlighten and plant progressive ideas in the minds of Dhakaites, proved to be the perfect venue for the occasion.

Household names in the world of arts, crafts and literature were keen participants of the event and the shining stars included National Professor Anisuzzaman, former cultural affairs secretary Aktari Momotaj , Bangladesh National Museum Director General Abdul Mannan Ilias, Tasmima Hossain, editor of The Daily Ittefaq and Anannya, the fortnightly magazine that took the initiative to publish the book, and others. 

While introducing Maleka Khan and her book, artist Hashem Khan said, "The book is a true testament of the effort given and commitment shown by Maleka Khan to revive an ageless tradition of the lands of Bengal. Just like a rural woman would spin every stitch with a thread and a needle upon old saris and cloths lying around the house to make one grand embroidered quilt, Maleka Khan carefully penned every word with clear depictions of the age-old craft to eventually culminate into one wholesome book that you can now purchase from bookstores,"

The book, truly, but metaphorically, Maleka Khan's very own nakshi kantha, depicts tales of the magnificent quilt in history, folklore and literature, and even chronicles its glorious evolution from one district to another, and from one decade to the next.

Nakshi kantha is a timeless craft, embedded deep into Bengali culture, where old clothes like saris, lungis, and even dhotis are sewn together with various motifs and designs at the leisure of rural women of Bengal to make a quilt during cold winters, or just to express creativity.

With Maleka Khan later taking centre stage to express thanks to her patrons, especially to Tasmima Hossain, applauding her involvement in women's development, the ceremony soon led way to a musical soiree by popular Lalon singer Farida Parveen.

The evening spent with a spirited discussion and live music only paved the way for curious enthusiasts to take in one of the historical stories of rich Bengal through Maleka Khan's successfully finished nakshi kantha for a price tag of only Tk 1,500.