Dhokra

About:

Dhokra is a traditional form of metal casting practiced by tribal artisans using the lost-wax technique, a method that dates back over 4,000 years. This ancient craft is mainly used to create figurines, jewelry, religious deities, and decorative pieces from brass and bronze. Dhokra art is well-known for its intricate detailing and unique folk-style designs. Each Dhokra piece is handcrafted, making every artifact a unique work of art. This craft is mainly practiced by tribal communities in West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.

The Dhokra craftsmen went from tribe to tribe making their ceremonial and religious figures, ornaments and kitchenware.

Location:

History:

The lost-wax casting technique used in Dhokra art is one of the earliest forms of metalworking. The process involves creating a wax model of the desired object, coating it with clay, and then heating it to melt the wax, which is replaced by molten metal to form the object. This technique dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization, where examples of lost-wax casting have been found in sites like Mohenjo-Daro.

The Ghawa or Dhokra kumar tribes are the traditional metal workers of West Bengal.The Dhokras of West Bengal, Bihar and Orissa are distant cousins of the Madhya Pradesh Dhokras and they all perhaps belong to a tribal group of that area, who, for some reason, took to the road a few hundred years ago and travelled even as far south as Kerla and as far north as Rajasthan.

the Dokra metal craft is common to the tribal belts of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.Primarily made from brass scrap the artifacts have a core of clay preserved within the metal casting,

Features:

Dhokra art is renowned for its unique and intricate craftsmanship, traditional methods, and cultural significance. The craft is a perfect blend of art, history, and functionality, making it highly valued both locally and internationally. Below are some key features of Dhokra Art:

Dhokra - a metal craft, tribal in origin, is a utility art today and is used in many forms. The dhokra craft is mainly found in the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh in India. he wax melts and the clay mould is broken to bring out the metal object which is smoothened and polished to perfection. This is also known as the lost wax process. Dhokra art has rustic and antique finish which makes it unique and appealing. Dhokra art is revered all over the world for its enthralling folk motifs.

Related Arts and Craft to see in MadhyaPradesh:

Zari Work (Bhopal)

Zari work is a type of embroidery that uses metallic threads (gold, silver, or copper) to create intricate designs on fabrics. This art form is particularly popular in Bhopal and is used to embellish saris, lehengas, and other garments.

Chanderi Weaving (Chanderi)

Chanderi saris are one of the most famous handloom products from Chanderi, a small town in Madhya Pradesh. Known for their sheer texture, light weight, and luxurious feel, Chanderi saris are woven from silk and cotton.

Maheshwari Weaving (Maheshwar)

The town of Maheshwar, on the banks of the Narmada River, is famous for producing Maheshwari saris. These handloom saris are known for their elegant cotton and silk blend, with colorful designs and distinctive geometric patterns..

Durrie Weaving

The floor coverings of Madhya Pradesh consist mainly of durries and carpets in a rich variety of designs. A durrie, essentially a thick cotton woven fabric, is meant for spreading on the floor, and is made all over Madhya Pradesh, especially near Sironj. Apart from Sironj, Jhabua, Jabalpur and Shahdol are leading centres of durrie weaving in Madhya Pradesh. The basic technique of weaving a durrie in its most primitive form, can be seen in rural areas. The more universal durries are made by women in their homes, in the 'Punja' technique. They are usually in bold patterns and bright colours with folk designs. Cotton and woollen punja durries, handwoven in various colours are designed to suit traditional as well as modern home decor. Patterns are generally based on kiln designs, geometric traditional motifs & animal and human figures.

Carpet Weaving

Zari Work

The craft of Zari work is concentrated in Bhopal, which is famous for its exquisite craftsmanship. Also practised in Gwalior and Indore, its origin can be traced back to 300 years. Today traditional articles have been replaced by modern purses, bags, tea cozies, and "jutties" or slippers.

Jute is the cheapest and most important of all textile fibres. It is used extensively in manufacturing different types of packaging material for agricultural and industrial products. Its coarse character has a unique charm while natural colour, heavy texture and twilly kind of body typify its earthiness. Jute handicrafts are available at Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior. The items include hanging lamps, baskets, flower vases, swings, hammocks, purses, table mats and footwear etc.

Batik Printing (Ujjain)

Batik printing is a traditional technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to cloth, creating intricate patterns and vibrant designs. The process involves applying wax to the fabric before dyeing, and the waxed areas resist the dye, resulting in beautiful designs.

Iron Craft

In the interiors of Madhya Pradesh villages, the crafts persons practise traditional skills and techniques to craft iron in myriad inimitable forms. Iron crafting begins with obtaining iron ore from local mines which the ironsmiths mould into various shapes and forms. Gond, Muria, Bhatra, Dhruva tribals, practise the tradition of offering horses, swings, trishuls etc. made out of iron, to gods on fulfilment of their wishes. There is also a custom of gifting to daughters exquisitely carved "Deeyas" on their wedding. Keeping pace with changing times and tastes of buyers, today crafts persons produce various objects: birds, carved deeyas, candle stands, lattice, furniture, lamps and decorative items, each piece an object'd'art enabling the craft to reach its zenith. Tribal statues have come to occupy a very special place in modern day interior decoration and tribal artisans have won the recognition they so rightly deserve.

Metal Craft

The Metal Craft of Madhya Pradesh stands apart in concept and workmanship alike for centuries. Metal ornaments boxes, lamps, rice measure bowls animal figurines are a few examples of the ingenuity of crafts persons of Madhya Pradesh. These metal images invested with peculiar indigenous socio- religious history are considered auspicious.