Скачать или смотреть The Solapith Craft Tradition of Western Assam

Speaker: Pooja Sonowal
Research Assistant, National Museum,New Delhi

Sholapith craft is One of the finest living traditions of craft making practised by the Malakars or Bhuimali community residing in different parts of Dhubri and nearby Goalpara districts of Assam. The Solapith craft is made from Shola or Kuhila, a plant which grows in the marshy waterlogged areas and the craft form is locally termed as Sholar kaj. The scientific name of the plant is Aeschynomen Aspera and is an herbaceous plant. The main part of the plant which is used for making is the cortex, the inner soft-white and fibrous part which is exposed when the outer layer of the stalk is shaved. The core is sliced into strips, and made into sheets, cubes, cones etc according to the artisans imagination.