The recent inauguration of Aarong’s flagship outlet in Dhanmondi – the world’s largest craft store – included the revealing of a number of awe-inspiring installations, but there was one that instantly caught everyone’s eye: The Great Arena. The four-storey-long nakshi kantha (embroidered quilt) became a social media sensation, quickly becoming one of the city’s most Instagrammable backdrops.
What is nakshi kantha?
Nakshi kantha is a centuries-old Bangladeshi tradition of embroidering detailed stories on quilts and tapestries. Designs depict the rhythms of rural life. Historically, they were sewn by women during the rainy season, a time when there was less farming activity.
Kanthas are made from repurposed saris and other discarded textiles, making them not only a cornerstone of cultural heritage but also an early example of upcycling.
The Great Arena was meticulously handcrafted from upcycled materials. It tells the story of Aarong – a social enterprise founded to empower women in rural communities that now provides livelihoods for over 75,000 artisans. The Great Area beautifully illustrates the circular path of craftsmanship, where heritage, sustainability, and empowerment intertwine.
Designer Samiul Alam with some of the artisans who crafted The Great Arena © Aarong 2025
Soaring an incredible 44 feet tall, the Great Arena was designed by Samiul Alam, and meticulously crafted over six months by 250 artisans from rural Bangladesh. Each stitch embodies the heartbeat of a timeless legacy. Repurposed fabrics, cast-off beads, and salvaged ornamentations fuse into a glorious tapestry of renewal—one that echoes with centuries-old tradition. Each storey of the outlet, starting from the first floor to the fourth floor, represents a different part of Aarong’s journey.
The first part of The Great Arena, showing artisans stitching under the shade of a tree © Aarong 2025
The first story begins with the tale of Aarong, where women in rural Bangladesh gather to weave a nakshi kantha, stitching stories into fabric under the shade of the ‘tree of life’, a symbol of growth, strength and continuity. Their beaded faces, lifted from archival photos, honour the artisans, whose hopes and resilience are woven into every thread. Above, a golden sky glows with the names of the same artisans, a sunrise of unity and hope. A clay bank stands beside a humble home, symbolising savings and self-sufficiency.
The next section brings to life a vibrant village fair, the inspiration behind Aarong’s name. Artisans, intricately painted and stitched from archival portraits, embody a legacy of craftsmanship. Every piece in this display is meticulously stitched from Aarong’s crafts, reflecting a life dedicated to artistry. Their skillful hands guide us toward the heart of the fair—a lively swirl of color and laughter, crowned by a towering Ferris wheel. Amid the festivity, Jonaki, one of the artisans from Jamalpur in central Bangladesh who worked on The Great Arena, extends the iconic Aarong bag to a customer—a simple yet profound exchange that captures the warmth and spirit of this thriving community.
The middle section of the Great Arena © Aarong 2025
In the third section, dusk settles, unveiling a brilliant cityscape fashioned from upcycled silk. Buildings glow with promise, each stitch a testament to progress forged from tradition. At the far edge stands an Aarong outlet, a spindle of possibility bridging heritage and modernity. In this urban shimmer, the spirit of communal craft lives on—threaded through generations yet ever-evolving under the night’s watchful eye. Above the city lights, an older artisan works on a loom, bathed in cosmic reflection.
The top section of The Great Arena © Aarong 2025
In the last section, mushris and kodoms—names of different Bengali motifs of common food and flowers—dance across a swirling galaxy, guiding the flow of vibrant fish emblematic of Bangladeshi life. They pass from moonlight to sunrise, shifting hues with each breath of renewal. Anchoring this celestial panorama is the final tree of life, closing the loop of creation and returning us to the source where every story and stitch first took shape.
Whether it’s the exquisitely detailed storytelling, the rich heritage of upcycled materials, or the creativity of 250 dedicated artisans,
The Great Arena is more than just an art installation—it’s a living tapestry that is embodies an evolution of the craft of nakshi kantha itself.
Its lifelike portrayal of everyday scenes and meticulously rendered figures push beyond the traditional, more symbolic expressions of this art form, signaling a new chapter where each stitch presents an even deeper realism and vibrancy.
We invite you to experience The Great Arena for yourself at Aarong’s new flagship outlet in Dhanmondi, and to become part of the narrative woven into every thread of this 44-foot celebration of Bangladeshi heritage.
