Creativity is just limited in a circle,yes that's how the traditional art form of Bengal is defined when it comes to worship Goddess Lakshmi by means of an artistic medium -Sora.It is believed to have born out of the tradition of Panchakalyani Pata of Bengal.The typical motifs are paddy,colloquily known as dhaner sish,kalmi,lotus,the white owl again referred as lakshmi pycha along with other Gods and Goddesses like Durga,Krishna,Radha and their maidens known as tin putul,panch putul depending on the locale the sora is made.
Mound of clay is pressed in between two palms to form circular plates,naming the process to be Charakata.The mounds are then wrapped by wet cloth dipped in muddy water infested with millipedes.They are left to be dried and then baked.Kharimati is applied to these warm terracotta concave plates whose sizes vary from 25cms to 75cms in diameter.It is then that these soras are ready to be painted and varnished for the market.
Undivided Bengal,especially Dhaka,Barishal,Faridpur had seen this ritual where sora popularly called Lakshmir sora were made during Lakshmipujo.
Out of the various soras the most famous is Sureshswari of Sureshwar of Madaripur in Faridpur.At that time, it was known as Mahadevi sora.Sureshswari soras has in them Goddess Mahishasurmardini with Goddess Lakshmi beneath.In the soras of Faridpur,the Goddessess are inside a box where as Dhakai soras have a boat,known as nao beneath.The others are named as Acharjee,Ganaka,Tin Putul,Panch Putul.
But after partition scenario changed,the artisans took refuge mainly in Nadia,North 24 Paraganas and Kolkata suburbs.Soras are still made in Taherpur,Nabadwip in Nadia and in Duttafulia of North 24 Paraganas.Soras of Duttapukur are plate shaped with a glossy look but are comparatively cheaper to that of the soras made in Kolkata.Kalighat's Patuapara have artisans who have followed the tradition of painting soras heriditarilly.The soras of Patuapara are shallow in nature with a matte look are pretty expensive.
Whatever may be the case,whether the soras are glossy or cheap,the circular clay plaque bearing the painted Goddess Lakshmi is hardly the first choice of Bengali households anymore.You may find soras in Kalighat shops or in any dashakarma bhandar,a shop where puja ingredients are sold,but you will not to be pampered with options.Whether it is from Kumartuli or a sora from Madhyamgram,the number of pieces sold has not exceeded to 90 this year,which was 250 five years back.A statistics clearly stating that a centuries-old tradition of art and worship is becomimg poorer day by day.It is not only the mere stastic sheet that needs attention but the artisans of Kumartuli Mritsilpa Sanskriti Samity stated the tradition of drawing sora will be lost forever as the young artistes are'nt practising the art form and recent sora painters are the last generation of this devoted art.To some the dearth of clay plaques and to many the decreasing number of customers have led this decay so fast.Pathetically saying we customers always look for an easier alternative and lands up buying an Lakshmi idol home.How would I fix it?Shall I have to prop it?With what will I hang it?- are the frequently asked questions.Soras which was once considered customary to every Bengali household has now found its own tiny space in few traditional age old pujas. We Bengalees,especially those from 'East Bengal' still proudly claim ourselves as 'Bangal' but we sadly overlook beautiful traditions of peserving our art forms.How many of us ever think to drop and buy a Sora as a gift or for decorating our homes?Is it just due to ignorance or a sense of urbanisation which constantly fuels our individuality and makes us superior than other fellow beings.Next time you see a Sora ,just wait for a second to watch the intricacis and then judge whether it is to be left to be an extinct art.Hurry for you might not find it the next year.
