Dhokra Craft |ForumIAS

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News: The ancient metal-casting tradition of Dhokra Craft takes centre stage in Prime Minister’s collection of 16 mementos from Chhattisgarh.

About Dhokra Craft

Aspects	Details
Description	The word “Dhokra” is believed to be derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes, the traditional metal smiths of Central India. It is believed to be 4000 years old craft.
Origin	The origins can be traced back to the tribal communities residing in the regions of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.
Technique used	It uses the lost-wax technique, or cire perdue, for metal casting.
Artistry and design	The beauty of Dhokra craft lies in its rustic charm and the organic nature of its designs. Artisans draw inspiration from nature, mythology, and everyday life. They incorporate motifs such as animals, birds, deities, and tribal symbols into their creations. Each piece display a sense of timeless elegance and cultural richness.
Challenges	Rapid growth in urbanization. Rise of mechanized production techniques.
Recognition	Dhokra craft holds Geographical Indication (GI) tags in specific regional variations across India, notably for Bastar Dhokra from Chhattisgarh (2008) and Adilabad Dokra from Telangana (2018).

The process begins with the creation of a clay core, which serves as the base for the final metal sculpture.
Artisans then coat this clay core with a layer of beeswax.
They sculpt the intricate designs and patterns by hand.
Once the wax model is complete, it is covered with layers of clay.
The entire structure is then heated, allowing the wax to melt and drain out.
It leaves behind a cavity in the shape of the original sculpture.
Molten metal, which is a combination of brass and bronze, is poured into this cavity, filling the space left by the melted wax.
After cooling and solidifying, the clay mould is broken away, revealing the final metal casting.