Numerous artistic forms have existed since the dawn of humanity, defining every tribe and its culture. Whether they are enormous stone murals, golden statues, or cave paintings, they are all resonant with history and the culture of the people who created them. Among these is Dhokra, a plant that has existed since the dawn of humanity and continues to do so.
India’s rich cultural heritage is widely acknowledged by people worldwide. Its artistic expressions, customs, beliefs, and rituals have substantially improved its history and beauty. Indian art forms include textiles, paintings, sculptures, handwoven silks, and ceramics.
Handcrafted goods are valuable and have intricate, interesting designs. The skilled artisans in India are deeply committed to preserving authenticity and derive immense joy from employing traditional techniques. India is home to people who value handicrafts to preserve history and recognize its inherent beauty. They are prepared to take on the skills and participate fully in international trades and fairs.
One of the older, customary art forms is Dhokra Art, which has roots in the southern Indian state of Chattisgarh, specifically in the district of Bastar. Beautiful objects like wall hangings are made by dhokra artists using the lost-wax casting technique. The beauty of tribal cultures, content farmers’ lives, gods, goddesses, animals, mythical creatures, and more are all honored in this magnificent work of art. In India and other parts of the world, non-ferrous metal art is highly regarded, and this technique is well known.
An overview of Dhokra’s history
It would be best to understand where Dhokra originated and how it came before delving into its fundamentals. Dhokra is an ancient Indian art form that has been practiced for millennia. It is mostly found in the Indian states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. This type of art is created by non-ferrous metal casting, known as the “cire perdue” in French. It is thought to have started 4000–5,000 years ago in Mohenjodaro.
The nomadic nomads that created this metal art first are referenced in the word itself. The art form gained recognition for its exquisite form and superb shaping. Even though these exquisite art pieces embrace complexity in the most basic way, they are so beautiful to look at that it is impossible not to be in awe of them. These tribesmen’s imaginations run wild whenever they come up with a concept and want it to be a properly crafted object with intricate designs.
Tracing the History of Dhokra Art
Lost wax casting is a traditional metal casting method used to create Dhokra Art. For thousands of years, non-ferrous metals like copper were cast using this method to create artifacts. Some ancient craftsmen also used alloys like brass or copper. Whereas bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, brass is a blend of zinc and copper.
The name of this unique and lovely art form is derived from ‘Dhokar Damar,’ a nomadic Indian tribe from the country’s east. The tribe’s original home was in the West Bengali region of Bankura-Dariapur, along with portions of Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Historians surmise that the tribes who live in this area and are well-known for producing West Bengal’s Dhokra art are mostly responsible for maintaining this history.
Interestingly, this valuable form of Indian art is not found in just one area of the nation. The craftsmen may have gone from one region to another, bringing with them the Dhokra knowledge and abilities to be passed down from one generation to the next.
Because they extended this tradition to include regional elements and interpretations, the tribal community that was primarily involved in creating Dhokra Art and lived in the region encompassing Birbhum, Purulia, Burdwan, and Midnapore is now spread to the bordering regions as well.
A Heritage of Eastern and Central India
The tribe’s current home is the eastern region of India, which includes Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Telangana, West Bengal, and Odisha. Some of the oldest tribes in India, such as the Bhils who live in Rajasthan, Western Maharashtra, Western Madhya Pradesh, and Southeast Gujarat, and the Gonds in Madhya Pradesh, are thought to have been practicing this folk art for a very long time. As a result, the art form is often referred to as Jharkhand’s and Chattisgarh’s Dhokra art.
Bastar in Chattisgarh is another area renowned for its abundant contribution to this art. The Bastar Dhokra Art has a name and a claim to fame domestically and globally. Previously, the only places to find the ethnic designs of this art were the weekly local markets in the area.
Nonetheless, as the internet has developed, it has given the Indigenous people new chances to protect their priceless heritage. Customers from India and around the world may now purchase Dhokra Art online from reputable and well-regarded online retailers. Just as vibrant as the art form is, there are also a variety of interpretations and versions created by the Indigenous people who have lived in the country’s east and center.
The creation of Dhokra artwork
The tribal people create this traditional art using age-old procedures and techniques passed down from their ancestors. The procedure, which dates back to the Age of Metallurgy, usually entails removing metal from minerals in a manner similar to that carried out around 4,000 years ago.
The method is based on annealing, which involves heating the metal extract to extremely high temperatures in order to melt it. After that, the metal is poured into the pre-casted molds and allowed to cool so that it takes on the shape of the mold. Preparing the mold requires a significant deal of artistic skill and is not as simple as it may seem, or art pieces may emerge.
There has been a significant change in technology between the prehistoric and medieval periods. Originally composed of wax, the clay model or mold was eventually replaced with metallic ores and alloys, primarily brass and bronze.
The two procedures utilized to make the cast are solid casting, which is the modern interpretation, and hollow casting, which is the traditional way. The latter approach is mainly employed in southern regions of India, such as Telangana, while the former is mainly utilized in the country’s middle and eastern regions.
Dhokra as a kind of artwork
These traveling metalsmiths often teach the locals about their work and inspire them. As a result, to preserve the art, the elders and their offspring impart their knowledge of it to the following generation. The person who creates the sculptures pours their emotions and desires into the finished piece, much like with other art pieces. Each sculpture’s design conveys the passion, experiences, and narrative that go into creating it.
A portion of these native people lack a formal education. However, that doesn’t stop them from making exquisite statues of Dhokra. Depending on the design, they can complete a single statue in 15 to 30 days because they like creating it. Because of the intricate nature of the art, it takes so long to manufacture them.
Dhokra artwork was created to be durable. Because of its look, the oldest Dhokra statue—from 2,500 BCE—was properly dubbed “Dancing Girl.” It was cast in bronze using a lost-wax casting process. This sculpture is currently on display at the National Museum in New Delhi, if that interests you. There’s another one from the same year at Pakistan’s Karachi Museum.
Which beliefs are represented in Dhokra metal art?
Just by taking a quick look at the relics, you could get homesick for the prehistoric age, when hunting was humanity’s primary employment. Hindu gods and goddesses and representations of men, women, and children are common motifs in Dhokra art. Another recurring motif is the variety of creatures, from owls to elephants and tortoises.
In Hindu mythology, each creature has a symbolic meaning or importance. Artists have attempted over time to impart their knowledge of creating dhokra wall arts to various genres through their everyday lives. Among the variety of Dhokra art, they have incorporated holy lamps, caskets, utensils, and bowls.
The role of dhokra in the contemporary world
Dhokra has been around for a long time, yet even with that, modern art fans are always in awe of these understated yet sophisticated pieces of work. A priceless asset to our civilization is dhokra art. Before now, it was significant and valuable; today, and for years to come, it will be even more precious and esteemed.
Dhokra art is a part of our cultural legacy. We should support local and folk art individually, but we also need to recognize that our rich history is our legacy and should not be lost or diminished. Tribal people in Indian villages dedicate their waking hours to making one-of-a-kind handicrafts with their hands, to preserve the ancient art form.
