Dhokra Art or Art in Metal.  

Dhokra, Dokra prounounced as Dhouk-ra, is basically metal art.  Coming down to us through one generation to another, this very old traditional yet beautiful, ancient folk art of non ferrous metal casting using the lost wax method, and is more than 4000 years old.

This wonderful, enchanting and exotic tribal art form has over a period of time, evolved and is still prevalent in many parts of Eastern and middle Indian states like West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh.

The archeological excavations of the famous Dancing Girl statue, and other other metal objects and idols, in the ancient city of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley Civilization are proof which leads us to the dating time frame of this fabulous Dhokra art.  The statue of the Dancing Girl can still be viewed by people in the National Museum of Natural Arts in New Delhi.

Picture by Irakoi

The name Dhokra comes from the name of a nomadic tribe called Dhokra Damar tribe who were the original metalsmiths in West Bengal and Odissa region.  Originally, they would go from village to village, selling metal jewelry and other objects, like temple decorations, bells, and move on to the next village at very low costs to manage survival.  Slowly they started to move out, in all directions, moving from one place to another, spreading their beautiful art to more parts in India.

Giving valuable training to the next generation, and also settling faraway places led this art to flow through time.  Dhokra art flows from father to children, and then again the cycle follows in the family. While getting transferred from one generation to another, Dhokra art is done in the same process as was done centuries ago !!  Although more designs are incultated, the patterns are in line with the ancient motifs keeping the folk culture intact.  This fusion has now led these sculptures to not only make us awestruck, but also admire their intricate beauty. Sculptures and pieces are mostly done in brass and copper.

The sculptures bear influences from nature, and we see a lot of cultural motifs of those times, like the men and women celebrating and dancing, of Hindu gods and goddesses, and elements of nature, like birds, fish and other animals, all these in a very simple yet enchantingly beautiful way.

 

Their intricate designs, motifs and patterns are awe striking and extremely brilliant.  It is simply amazing to see these works, and when we hold them, we are holding a little part of our history is there in our hands.  Something that is still connecting us to what our ancestors did, in some thousands of years ago, and we at this age, are reliving the past in this very beautiful manner.  History is there in our present art forms, and we are here to acknowledge and respect the craftsmen who have not given it up, and continuing despite their extreme poverty conditions.   

Considered as one of the most earliest and at the same time, the most advanced methods for lost wax casting for those times, this method of metal casting is the oldest form known to human civilization.      This rural rustic tribal art is results in extremely beautiful sculptures and are ornamental in nature. What makes it more interesting is the manner that these are still made.

The artists are a group of nomadic village people, who are by nature very shy.  Originally living in the jungles, eating fruits and roots, wandering from one place to another, these tribes have been practicing this art as their means of livelihood.  They only know this art, and nothing else. Struck by poverty and very poor living conditions, these ingenious craftsmen call themselves artists. Earlier, these nomads would hide themselves at the sight of other people.  But now they have started getting used to having people around them, but their basic nature remains to be shy. They are still proud that despite them giving the knowledge to other people, nobody can perfect the art of the casting as best as they can.  It comes to them through the back of their hands, and they just know it how to perfect it, through all the imperfections.

It is sometimes very surprising to learn that such intricate art works are done by simple village nomadic people, and they have no institution to teach them nor guide them in this practice.  What is even more intriguing, is that the process has remain unchanged. The current method of making a sculpture piece through lost wax technique is still very much the same as it used to be thousands of years ago.  No, nothing has changed. And we feel we should be respecting and bowing to these ingenious people who have kept the art alive, through centuries so we can feel and see what our ancestors created. Something so brilliant and wonderful !

 

Process

Dhokra has a very detailed and has the most interesting process of creation.  Please keep in mind, that you are there, in the ancient times, as this is still done the same way as it was done centuries ago.  Each step is adhered to with great detail and is religiously carried out, giving it the effect of the meticulous and intricate designs.

To begin the journey of making a piece, a base shape is made out of termite or ant hill soil is mixed rice husk and barn and is sun dried.  Once dried, red silt mixed with goat droppings is applied on top of it, in the wet form, and left to dry. Another layer is applied to seal in the gaps and left to dry in the sun.  If needed, another layer is added similarly.

Once dried, leaves are rubbed on it to smooth out the rough edges.  Wax from the bee hives, any oil, are boiled together in a big wok. Once cooled it is strained and mixed with water.  This mix is then heated to give the mix an exact temperature so that wires of wax mix can be collected from it. These wax wires are then wrapped up in a pattern across the sculpture.  

Further, designs are carved out, giving the shape its details, like clothes, face, and other desired features.  A channel like funnel is made out of the dough, and added to the shape through which hot metal mix will be poured.  This is then put in a furnace, and is left to bake. While simultaneously, non ferrous metal is heated, and when red hot, is poured in the baked sculpture.  The wax melts while baking, and the dough is left bearing the design of the object. When the hot liquid metal is poured in the funnel, and is cooled, the metal then takes the entire shape and design of the sculpted object.  Once cool, they are gently hammered, and out comes this magnificent metal sculpture.

 

Care is taken that the wax is made in the perfect manner, neither too strong, nor too soft to break in between.  The artists, take pride in creating these and laugh amongst themselves, that even though they have explained and trained people from other regions, they cannot perfect this art.  This takes years, and they are born with it and live with this art until they pass it on to their children.

 

The entire process of making one Dhokra Art takes long enough time to finally complete the sculpture.  Sometimes it takes weeks. Each element is created by hand, and is collected by the artists themselves, or by their families.

 

The Dhokra artisans are very poor and are dependent on the sale of their art and craft to earn a living. From craftsman, they become artists when they start experimenting with their own styles and keep creating something indigenous.  Carrying out from generations and passing to the next generation, these people who are very few, and existing, are happy to earn their livelihood with making this art, an imperfectly perfect art.

 

This art needs to be revived and promoted and we feel it is the duty and responsibility of all of us, to lend a helping hand to them, and help them live as beautifully as they create the art.  Let us give them our appreciation and gratitude for taking forward such a wonderful indigenous art and keeping it alive.

 

We see a lot of people now take up this cause and help by buying these products as home decorations, gifts on various occasions like house warming etc, and also for their own collection.  These serve as fantastic home décor as they truly make the house much more interesting with these sculptures, and things like table accessories are deeply rustic and artistic.

 

Help us to support our artisans.  Be a friend to them with each time you purchase from us.  Beautiful metal art that is still alive in our country needs a kind helping hand to support them and have a decent livelihood.  Let us all come forward to help them lead a better life and share more happiness with their children.

For more queries or information, please feel free to reach us at shiuli@irakoi.com