Crafting the Future: How Ancient Wisdom is Shaping Tomorrow’s Materials

Bengal Ivory

Sometimes, the most extraordinary innovations are found in the most unexpected places. For Suryanka Bagri, this revelation came from a humble water plant she had encountered throughout her life in Kolkata, India. As a child, she observed how craftspeople transformed this mysterious white, foam-like material into delicate decorations for festivals and bridal headdresses. Years later, when she finally held the actual plant stem in her hands, she discovered its name: Sholapith, or Indian cork, an aquatic herb that thrives in the wetlands of West Bengal.

What started as curiosity soon developed into a passion as Bagri uncovered the plant’s remarkable natural properties. Incredibly lightweight, naturally insulating, and water-resistant, Sholapith seemed almost engineered by nature for human use. For centuries, skilled artisans had recognised these qualities, turning the plant’s core into intricate handicrafts. However, as Suryanka learned from the craftspeople whose families had worked with Sholapith for generations, this ancient art was fading. In our fast-paced world, traditional materials often struggle to find their place.

While others perceived a declining craft, Bagri recognised untapped potential. Drawing on her respect for tradition and the scientific knowledge gained from her studies at Material Features, Central Saint Martins, she began to experiment. Through extensive trials and careful exploration, she came to appreciate the material’s unique characteristics instead of attempting to force it into predetermined notions.

The breakthrough occurred when Suryanka developed an innovative biopolymer coating—a natural, biodegradable solution that transformed the delicate Sholapith stem into a highly versatile material. By carefully slicing the stems into whisper-thin sheets and applying this special coating, she created a product characterised by its shimmering iridescent finish, surprising durability, and complete natural sustainability.

This application of Sholapith opens up a world of possibilities that aligns with Haeckels’ commitment to pioneering conscious material choices. The future of responsible design lies in prevention—selecting materials of biological origin. Sholapith represents a future where we not only minimise our impact but also actively choose materials that benefit both people and the planet. This approach supports traditional craftspeople and sustainable practices that have endured for generations.

What makes Bagri’s Bengal Ivory project remarkable is its ability to bridge different worlds. It honours the deep knowledge of traditional artisans while embracing the possibilities offered by scientific protocols. It celebrates the natural engineering of a plant, enhancing it through innovation. Most importantly, it demonstrates that the future of materials doesn’t always reside in high-tech labs—sometimes, it’s quietly growing in a wetland, waiting for someone to recognise its potential.

Bagri’s work reminds us to look to nature and tradition for inspiration. By transforming Sholapith from a cultural curiosity into a material, she is not just preserving a craft—she is demonstrating that, with the right vision, our most sustainable path forward may lie in bridging the past and the future, a philosophy that we embody at Haeckels in our natural, locally-inspired products.

References: Suryanka Bagri