Shola Pith

History

Shola is the dried, milky-white pith of Aeschynomene aspera, a plant of the bean family that grows wild in marshes, waterlogged fields, riverbanks and ponds across Bengal. It is soft, spongy and very light, which is why it is also called Indian cork. The artisans who work it are known as Sholari. The main communities are the Malakars, whose name means garland maker, along with the Pals and Acharyas. Malitola in Old Dhaka is named after the Malakars who once lived there.

Shola has long been part of life's big moments in Bengal. It is used for the crowns worn by brides and grooms, the groom's headdress called topor, the brow ornament called kopali, garlands, and the ornaments that adorn idols during Durga Puja. Makers also create flowers, toys, dolls, masks and figures such as elephants, horses, birds, boats and palanquins.

How it's made

The shola plant grows to about five or six feet, with a stem two to three inches across. Two kinds are used: the harder kath shola and the soft, light bhat shola, which is gathered in winter and dried in the sun.

• Harvesting: shola stems are collected from wetlands.
• Drying: the stems are dried in the sun.
• Peeling: the outer skin is peeled away to reveal the pure white pith.
• Cutting: the pith is sliced into thin sheets or shaped with a sharp, thin cutting tool called a kaitha.
• Assembling: the cut pieces are shaped and joined into flowers, crowns and figures.
• Gluing: artisans use a specially prepared glue, traditionally made from soaked and fermented tamarind seeds, which binds the shola and also protects it from insects.

Where it's made

Shola work is found in many districts, including:

• Munshiganj, Manikganj and Keraniganj, near Dhaka
• Jashore and Magura in the southwest, along with Khulna and Kushtia
• Cumilla, Brahmanbaria and Kishoreganj
• Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Sunamganj in the northeast
• Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona, Rangpur and Barishal

Demand is strongly seasonal, rising around weddings and religious festivals. Makers warn that the loss of wetlands is making the shola plant harder to find.