Ever heard of metal being a cultural heritage? The ancient tribal craft of Dhokra or Bharai Kaam of eastern India transforms molten metal into breathtaking treasures admired across the globe! Centuries ago, the people of the Indus Valley Civilization produced a statue of the Dancing Girl, unearthed from Mohenjo-daro. Their advanced metallurgy and craftsmanship amazed people after the bronze sculpture was discovered in 1926. This 4000-year-old metal art form is still living on among the tribal people of India and has received global recognition.
Tribal Origin Of Dhokra Artform
The nomadic Indian tribe of Dhokra Damar hail from the eastern part of the subcontinent, mainly the Bankura-Dariapur region of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. The tribesmen were generations-old metalsmiths who traveled from one village to another, teaching villagers their knowledge and skills in traditional non-ferrous metal casting. Hence, the art form became known as Dhokra after the tribe. The spread of the tradition throughout the country and outside India ensured the art stayed alive for generations.
Process
Dhokra art uses the historical metallurgy technique of lost-wax casting. This ancient method uses non-ferrous metals like copper and alloys like bronze and brass. Even the decorations and themes of the folk art are traditional icons of the primitive era. They represent tribal culture; hunting and gathering activities; Hindu gods and goddesses; figurines of men, women, and children; and animals like horses, elephants, tortoises, and owls with mythological significance in Hinduism.
Today, the influence of the art form has expanded from handicrafts to its adaptation into jewelry and home decor. The Dhokra art of Adilabad, Telangana, received the Geographical Indicator tag in 2018.
