Specification :
Sholapith is one of the most traditional and famous craft of West Bengal. Shola pith is a milky-white sponge-wood that is carved into delicate and beautiful objects of art. It is a kind of soft reed, growing in water or on marshy grounds of Eastern India.
With governments worldwide having banned Ivory trade altogether, Sholapith items have got international recognition for its beauty, eco-friendliness and superb craftsmanship. Craftsmen spend months working on each piece with meticulously working out each and every detail. The color of Shola being pure white and beautiful, IVORY look alike sculptures have started decorating Western homes in Europe and America.
In West Bengal the craftspersons involve in this work are known as Malakars. The artist use a special kind of knife called “Kath” to shave the stalk. Shaving is done very carefully without damaging the stalk as the main motive is to expose the white core.
You also find exquisite figurines like faces of gods and goddesses, elephants, peacock-boats, palanquins, wall hangings and a number of home decorations made of sholapith.