Aruna Raghuram
When you think of Dhokra craft, three things come to mind – its antiquity, its intricate crafting process, and its appeal among contemporary clientele. Dhokra artisans have increased the range of their products to suit the needs of modern buyers. These products are sought after even in European cities like Milan, Paris and London
The day begins early for 37-year-old Bibhisan Rana and his wife Snehlata. They are Dhokra artisans living in Mayurbhanj district in Odisha. The multi-stage meticulous craft is very time-consuming.
“I have been making Dhokra products for 20 years. While my parents were in the same occupation, I have also received training. My products are totally handcrafted. Recently, I attended a workshop at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. We were taught new designs at the workshop,” says Rana.
Image Courtesy: Sanatan Pradhan
He makes mainly tribal artefacts – animals, people and deities. Prices range from Rs 300 to Rs 2,000 per piece depending on size and weight of the product. But his collection for sale includes an interesting pair of hockey sticks and a delicate fish-shaped ear-ring.
Sanatan Pradhan, 52, is a master-craftsmen who trains others in his village Nuagaon in Dhenkanal district, Odisha. “ I have been helping my parents with the craft since childhood. Today, my wife Rina and daughter Ranjita, who is in class 10, help me. In a day we make items weighing two kgs. The ruling price is Rs 1,500 for one kg of items. Among the vast collection of artefacts made by him and his family are an interesting lamp with bird and animal motifs and a tortoise, which depicts longevity.
Image Courtesy: Sanatan Pradhan
“I design the artefacts myself. I collaborate with ‘Kalakar’ website to sell online. I also sell my products at fairs. At times, foreigners come to the village and visit our homes to see and buy the artefacts,” says Sanatan, who has won several awards for his designs. He makes it a point to share the credit of his success with his wife. Rina, who like other women in the region, not only manages the household but also devotes time to the craft.
When you think of Dhokra craft, three things come to mind immediately – its antiquity, its intricate crafting process, and its and its appeal among contemporary clientele.
Antiquity of craft
The 4,000-year-old craft was practised in India during the Indus Valley Civilization. The globally famous ‘Dancing Girl’ excavated from Mohenjo-daro is the oldest example of the unique non-ferrous metal casting tradition called Dhokra that survives to this day with the techniques almost unchanged.
According to the research paper ‘Dhokra: A Traditional Craft of Rural India’ published in the International Journal of History and Cultural Studies (IJHCS), Dhokra was both one of the oldest and the most advanced metallurgical art. Apart from India, it was practised in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, China and Greece.
Dhokra craftspeople work with brass (copper + zinc) or bronze (copper + tin). If the tin content is high, the alloy is called bell metal. Dhokra is a unique figurine art where the figures are very slender. The physical appearance of animals in the craft are different from reality, says the research paper.
Prabhas Sen, author of the book Crafts of West Bengal (1994), writes that the Dhokra artisans, who inherited this craft, travelled from village to village in the south-western districts of Bengal, repairing old and broken utensils and selling small Dhokra idols of Lakshmi and her mount the owl, Lakshmi Narayan and Radha Krishna, in exchange for food grains. These idols, made in a primitive folk style, were considered auspicious.
Today, Dhokra is practised by tribal communities, particularly in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana. In fact, the name is derived from the nomadic Dhokar Damar tribe that originally inhabited the Bankura-Dariapur belt of West Bengal. As the tribe moved to neighbouring states, the skills and knowledge of the craft spread.
Intricate process
Dhokra uses a technique called the lost-wax casting technique (‘cire-perdue’ in French). Ramakant Behera, deputy director of handicrafts, is posted in Dhenkanal district, Odisha, a prominent place in the state for Dhokra craft.
“Dhokra casting has a strong presence in Saptasajya Gram Panchayat of Dhenkanal district where around 160 skilled artisans practise this ancient craft in Sadeibereni and Nuagaon villages. Sadeibereni, recognised as an ‘Artisan Village’, is home to more than 90 Dhokra artisans and Nuagaon is home to over 70 artisans. The total turnover in Dhenkanal is up to Rs 30 lakhs per annum,” says Ramakant.
“The craft requires skill and patience. There is a meticulous step-by-step process to make a piece of Dhokra craft. An artisan first creates a core model using a mixture of soil, clay, and rice husk, roughly approximating the final shape of the artefact. This core is then dried in the sun. Strips of beeswax or a wax-resin mixture are pressed into thin threads. The artisan then wraps these threads meticulously around the dried clay core to create the detailed patterns and motifs,” explains Ramakant.
The wax-covered model is carefully coated with one or more layers of a finer clay. Small channels are left open to allow the wax to melt out and the molten metal to be poured in. The entire mould is heated in a furnace, which melts the inner wax and leaves a hollow cavity. Molten metal is then poured into the empty space. After the metal cools and solidifies, the outer clay mould is hammered away. The finished metal artifact is then cleaned and polished to reveal the finer details. No two Dhokra pieces are exactly alike, says Ramakant.
Image Courtesy: Ramakant Behera
In Nuagaon, those interested can visit the homes-cum-worksheds of the artisans who explain the meticulous preparation process.
Contemporary touch
To stay relevant today, craftspeople have adopted a contemporary range of products. It is this adaptability that has enabled Dhokra to survive till today. A 2024 study titled ‘The new age of Dhokra art’ describes the new products like bags, bookmarks, candle stands, jewellery and 3D printing models. Attempts have been made to connect with the artisans and help them promote their craft by merging traditional methods and motifs into contemporary products.
Dhokra jewellery is worn by tribal women. Today, you find bracelets, necklaces, ear-rings, rakhis and anklets to appeal to the young, urban clientele.
The Dhokra artisans have expanded their range to make decorative frames, wall panels, wall hangings, door knobs, lanterns, lamps, water jugs, flower vases, coasters, soap cases, ashtrays, pen stands, bells, key holders, utensils and cutlery items. The folk motifs are largely kept intact.
The artisan village at Sadeibereni provides space to conduct workshops, hostels and even retail outlets. Local artisans from Odisha have access to resources to experiment with new product ideas and add a contemporary touch to the ethnic essence and raw earthy appeal of the articles.
Unorganized sector
The artisans are in the unorganized sector and income differs from artisan to artisan. Websites like dhokrahandicrafts.com and other e-commerce platforms sell Dhokra handicrafts online. The government organises fairs and exhibitions where the craftspeople sell their products. NGOs and private entities too tie up with artisans who provide raw materials to the artisans and help market their products, including for export.
Traditionally, the art features figures of animals, tribal deities, tribal musicians, mythical creatures and village scenes. Dhokra artisans are inspired by nature as well as folklore. Dhokra horses, elephants, peacocks, owls, tortoises, the posture of hunting, religious images, measuring bowls, and lamp caskets are in high demand. Interestingly, the animals have symbolic meaning. For instance, the elephant symbolizes strength and wisdom, and the owl vigilance and prosperity.
Dhokra products are popular in India and abroad. Their simplicity and the folk motifs are responsible for their appeal as is their uniqueness and historical significance. Many interior designers, art collectors, and cultural enthusiasts seek handmade Dhokra pieces, including from European cities like Milan, Paris and London.
However, Dhokra craft has faced challenges from mass-produced products. With efforts from the government, artisan cooperatives and NGOs, the craft is experiencing a revival.
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