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Shola Craft

Intricate carvings from shola pith

Description

In the early 20th century, Shola craftsmen, originally from Chittagong (now in Bangladesh), migrated to Bankapasi in the Bardhaman district. Here, they began crafting ornaments and decorative items from Shola pith, finding a market among the clay idol-makers in Kolkata's Kumartuli. This marked the start of Shola craft gaining popularity, eventually leading to its widespread use, including the creation of the popular Daker Saaj for Hindu deities' idols, across Bengal and beyond. Shola pith, a delicate ivory-colored reed, thrives in the moist and marshy lands of Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

Process

  • - Shola stems are gathered from specific markets in Bidhan Nagar and Rajarhat New Town.
  • - The brown stems are uprooted and dried until they turn brown.
  • - Skilled artisans peel off the brown skin, using only the soft white core.
  • - The white core is sliced into thin pieces, which are then crafted into decorative items.
  • - Adhesives are employed to join these pieces, forming the final works of art.
  • - The products are meticulously packaged in airtight glass cases, ensuring their preservation during delivery.

Product

Traditional Description:

The traditional products include ornaments for idols during Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Saraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja and other religious and social occasions, such as floral designs and Chandmala. Three-dimensional models of characters from the Puranas and the Mahabharata, like Krishnarjun, are also very popular. Apart from mainstream Bengali culture, indigenous communities use Shola in different rituals.

Contemporary Description:

The artists make a range of items, from flower vases, wall hangings and decorative work on terracotta items to small three-dimensional chariots and idols of gods and goddesses. Popular Shola artwork also includes Indian classical dance forms and miniature art (like small Shola craft work in a glass bottle and souvenirs in places of tourist attraction like the Taj Mahal and Hazarduari Palace of Murshidabad). Recent additions to the list include the recently banned old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. However, there is strong competition from glitzy embroidery when it comes to decorating pandals.

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International Visit

During the earlier intervention phase, Ashis Malakar, a famous sholapith craftsman, showcased his craft at Transform Festival at Trondheim, Norway in 2017.

Activity

Under the aegis of this project, 47 artists of Bhatibari, Alipurduar have been trained on making diversified products including a range of toys, models and utility items. A workshop is also held with master artists of different districts to develop a wide range of lamps, wall hangings.