Process
Shola (scientific name - Aeschynomene aspera) grows in the marshy areas of Bengal, Assam, the southern part of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The stems are submerged in the water and are very stout compared to rest of the plant. The best variety of Shola pith comes from Bangladesh, Assam and Bengal’s Nadia district. The premium products are made from these varieties. Craftsmen based in and around Kolkata collect the raw material from specialised markets in Bidhan Nagar and Rajarhat New Town. The plants are first uprooted and then dried until the stems turn brown. The artists then collect the brown stems from the markets and peel off the brown skin to use the softcore. They prefer the white softcore for their work and sometimes the Shola is rejected due to its hardness. The inner white core is cut into thin slices. These dry slices are then cut into decorative pieces. These pieces are then joined together with adhesives to make the final decorative items. The products are sometimes delivered to distant places and packed properly in an airtight glass case with black tape.
