ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar present the ‘Art of Celebration’ paying an ode
to the cultural heritage of Bengal.

At ITC Sonar, we pay tribute to the age-old sholapith craft of West Bengal.
The unassuming herbaceous Shola plant grows wild in the marshy waterbound
Sundarbans. Beneath its hard outer bark, it has an inner core that is soft
and milky-white. This spongy, malleable and lustrous Shola is intricately
crafted into delicate figures, artifacts, and ornaments. Traditionally used
to adorn and embellish, the Shola headgear of a bridal couple is a mandatory
element in a Bengali marriage. Our Shola Christmas Tree at ITC Sonar is a
unique amalgamation of traditional hand-crafted shola in a contemporary
design. Snowflake alone adorns the floor as a golden snowflake forms the
star atop the tree. Adding to the spirit of the region, traditionally woven
‘gamchas’ decorate the festive gift boxes beside the tree.

While at ITC Royal Bengal, we embrace the 19th-century Dutch-Bengal style
of Patachitra art. Hand-painted by local artist Soumyadeep Roy, this tree
is a visualization of the traditional Nativity Scene, depicting the birth
of Jesus. Through vibrant colors and a dynamic style - this tree
illustrates people from across the world coming together to join in the
celebrations of this festive season.