Dhokra is a 4000-year old non-ferrous metal casting technique practised since the era of Indus Valley Civilisation. Known for its simplicity and artistic coil motifs, Dhokra is often also spelt as Dokra. It is named after the Dhokra Damar tribe of West Bengal, who are the traditional metalsmiths of the region and involved in bringing this art to life.
History & Technique of Dhokra
The lost-wax casting technique of Dhokra is a tedious and time-consuming process, which includes several steps. Craftsmen involved making of Dhokra jewellery rely on raw materials like wax, firewood, resin and riverbed clay, which are at their immediate disposal. Initially, a wax model is made, which is then covered with clay and baked it in a kiln to form the final casted metal piece. Since earlier times, Dhokra has been predominantly used to make religious figurines, animal statues, lamp caskets and measuring bowls. Folk art objects such as men and women in their daily chores, musicians and dancers are also popular figurines made using this technique. One of the earliest known lost wax artefacts is the dancing girl of Mohenjo-Daro.
Cultural Significance of Dhokra
It is a popular art form in the tribal regions of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. However, historians state that a few hundred years ago, the Dhokra tribes of Central and Eastern India travelled as far as Kerala and Rajasthan and hence, now the art is found all over India. It is now practised by different communities like the Ghantaras, Situlias, Ghasis Thataries, and Bathudis. Apart from figurines and daily-use objects, this casting technique is also used to make tribal jewellery that’s bold and artistic.
Borrowing the motifs from this beautiful art form, we have crafted a collection that revisits the rustic charm of tribal jewellery in the form of elegant designs. STAY TUNED, as tomorrow we unravel Dhokra’s beauty in all its glory!
Image credits: dollsofindia.com, tribalstudio.in, abovetopsecret.com
