Shola is the inside, or pith, of weeds that grow in the mangrove areas of Bengal, Orissa and Assam. Almost similar to thermacol, it is completely natural and was traditionally used to decorate idols and create the head gear that Bengali brides and grooms still wear. Madhu is a Master craftsmen who is so accomplished with the carving of this malleable, lustrous and spongy substance that he expands his repertoire to create flowers of every kind, birds in flight and several special projects like giant 10 headed Ravans where he created the crowns. His garlands and flowers are almost magical : thin sheets are “pulled” out of the pith and made into tight rolls, which he then carves by hand with a sharp knife, using reeds of bamboo as stalks.
