DHOKARA METAL CRAFT: A STUDY OF AN ANCIENT INDIAN HANDICRAFT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v14.i2SCE.2026.6765Keywords:
Dhokra Art, Lost Wax Technique, Tribal Handicrafts, Dhokra Casting, Bell Metal Craft, Indian Metal Art, GI Tag, Cultural HeritageAbstract [English]
Dhokra metal craft is one of India's oldest metal handicrafts, based on the lost-wax casting technique. Its origins are traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization (approximately 4000-4500 years ago), where the famous 'Dancing Girl' bronze statue from Mohenjo-daro is the oldest known example created using this method.
The name 'Dhokra' comes from the Dhokra Damar tribe, who were nomadic metalworkers and have preserved this art form through generations. Primarily practiced by tribal communities such as the Gadwa (Baster), Ojha (Adilabad), and Karmakar (Bankura), this craft is prevalent in Bastar (Chhattisgarh), West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Telangana. Dhokra products are made from brass or bell metal, with religious idols, animals (elephants, horses, peacocks), birds, musicians, and scenes from daily life being the most common motifs.
The manufacturing process is laborious and environmentally friendly: creating a clay core, wrapping intricate designs with thin wax threads, applying layers of clay, melting and draining the wax, pouring molten metal, and finally breaking the Mold to extract the finished product. Each product is unique because the wax Mold is destroyed in the process. Regional variations are evident—hollow and bold designs in Baster, while solid casting is characteristic of Adilabad.
Culturally, this art reflects tribal life, nature worship, and religious rituals, and also serves as a source of livelihood for the community. Currently, it faces challenges from rising raw material costs, lack of interest among younger generations, and mass production, but it is experiencing a resurgence due to GI tags (Bastar 2008, Adilabad 2018), government schemes, and international markets. Dhokra is not only an ancient heritage but also a symbol of sustainable handicraft, keeping Indian cultural diversity alive.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Raviraj Vishwakarma
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