Bengal’s festivals are not just moments of devotion, they are immersive experiences of art, culture, and craftsmanship. At the heart of this lies an invocation or Aabahon – the sacred act of calling forth divinity, creativity and tradition. This year, Tanishq’s Pujo collection, Aabahon, draws from Bengal’s most iconic crafts, shola pith and daaker saaj, to celebrate women who hold on to their roots while shaping new stories of individuality.
From the soft, intricate carvings of shola to the luminous brilliance of daaker saaj, these crafts have adorned Goddess Durga for centuries. Today, they inspire modern jewellery that reflects both devotion and design – a celebration of heritage, reimagined for the bold spirit of the contemporary Bengali woman.
Deep Dive: The Craft
& Cultural Legacy
Sholapith, crafted from the milky-white core of the shola plant, has long been a symbol of purity. During Durga Puja, it transforms into lifelike forms that range from crowns and garlands to chandeliers, elephants and the layered interiors of pandals. Its fragility mirrors humility and grace, while its artistry represents the divine delicacy of the goddess herself.
Daaker saaj, in contrast, embodies radiance and splendour. Traditionally created with shimmering foils and elaborate chaalchitra frames, it gave Durga idols their reflective brilliance and aura of power. The grandeur of mukuts, chandeliers and ornamental ceiling patterns from daaker saaj continue to define the Puja aesthetic, symbolising magnificence that commands reverence. Together, these crafts represent the duality of Bengal’s culture, softness and strength, grace and power – the very essence of Durga.
What Is Shola Pith
& Daaker Saaj?
Shola Pith is sacred for its untouched purity: the material is shaped into delicate flowers, peacock plumes, elephant motifs and step-like pandal interiors. Its lightness inspires airy, delicate jewellery that speaks of devotion through fine detailing.
Daaker Saaj, introduced in colonial Bengal, is known for its mukuts, chaalchitra frames and chandelier-like ornamentation. It translates into jewellery that catches the eye and reflects the festival’s grandeur.
Design Inspiration:
From Goddess To Gold
The Aabahon collection reinterprets these sacred crafts using tarakashi filigree, meenakari, layered wirework and 3D sculpting. Shola’s delicate beauty appears in floral blooms, peacock plumes and elephant vaahanas imagined in 22kt gold and transformed into lightweight chokers, studs and
pendants.
Daaker Saaj lends its chaalchitra patterns, mukuts and jharlanthan (chandelier) motifs to statement haarams, layered chokers and chandelier jhumkas.
Each design is not merely ornamentation but an invocation – a wearable story of Bangaliyana. For today’s women, it is a way to honour legacy while expressing individuality. The campaign’s muse, Aishani, embodies someone who is rooted yet progressive: confident in her choices, she re-creates culture for herself and wears heritage with pride.
Styling Sacredness:
How To Wear
The Collection
Pieces inspired by shola are perfect for daytime – think floral pasha earrings, delicate studs and light chokers that pair effortlessly with cotton sarees or festive kurtas.
As evening falls, daaker saaj-inspired haarams and chandelier jhumkas in rich silhouettes work beautifully with silk sarees and festive drapes.
Many women choose to mix the two inspirations, layering subtle shola motifs with bold daaker saaj statement pieces to create a balance of grace and power.
Conclusion
Shola pith and daaker saaj are not just crafts; they are the sacred legacies of Bengal. With Aabahon, Tanishq honours this heritage while giving it a new life for the modern woman, jewellery that is living art rather than nostalgia.
The true gold of Bengal is not only mined; it is made – made by women who honour tradition yet reimagine it with every step. This Pujo, let your jewellery be an invocation: a celebration of purity, brilliance and timeless artistry.
