Dhokra: The Artistic Expression of a Bygone Era

Dhokra refers to a traditional Indian technique for casting metal using the lost-wax method. This process of casting metal has been perfected over the course of the last four thousand years. Here, we explore the magical beauty of Dhokra art, an age-old technique from a bygone era.

Dhokra art: Goddess Durga; Image Source: wikimedia

Every form of artistic expression contains traces of ethnicity and tradition. Perhaps the creation of it is a subtle whispering of many forgotten tales of history. This is how they open the doors to exploration and new learning. The knowledge you gain from new learnings may delight you, keep you wondering, or leave you astounded at the extreme potential our forefathers once possessed.

In our olden times, during the Harappan civilization, often called the Bronze Age, bronze metal was utilized to create various artefacts. Dhokra art refers to a style of the artwork popular during that period.

Dhokra art is a well-known technique for making tiny adorable structures using clay and bronze metal. Throughout West Bengal and Odisha, the Dhokra Damar tribes (from which the name Dhokra originated) have been the primary traditional metal-smithing communities. The Dhokra Damar tribes originally lived in Central and Eastern India, but because of migrations a few hundred years ago, they are now dispersed across the entire country.

The production of Dhokra products involves some interesting metal casting methods. The primary technique used in Dhokra art is the lost wax technique, which was prominent 4500 years ago. This technique has proven to have ancient connections as it is mentioned in several Sanskrit texts such as Manasollasa, Shilparatna and Manasara, which were composed between the 12th and 16th centuries. As per the details in these texts, the technique was used to cast idols in those periods.

The method of crafting these miniature folk structures is unique. The artist first makes the exact copy of the structure in clay and then wraps it with beeswax. Once all the details are imprinted on the wax, the clay structure is removed, and the wax mould is covered with a thin layer of clay. This process is repeated several times till a perfect wax mould is formed. Then the molten metal is poured into the mould. Once it cools and hardens, the artefact is removed, breaking the clay mould. The artists use either bronze or brass for making these structures.

Most of these small structures in Dhokra art represent a past way of life and the beliefs of those who formerly hunted for their food and gathered their own supplies. You can see human bodies, gods, goddesses, and animals like elephants, fish, deer, tortoises, horses and fishes etc., in this art. Almost every tiny sculpture created has a story or symbolism behind it. For example, the tortoise that carries earth on its back symbolizes Lord Vishnu, the elephant represents wisdom, and the horse represents motion. The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro is a famous example of an ancient lost wax sculpture.

Dhokra artisan communities Ghadwa and Jhareka have folk tales related to the origin of this craft. Almost every story has a connection with the forest and its surroundings. The components other than the metal used for the making are also procured from nature.

This casting method is not just limited to creating figurines and utilitarian items; it is also utilized to create striking and aesthetic pieces of tribal jewellery. Despite its tribal origins, this work has evolved over time. This sector's creative and economic aspects have benefited from globalization in recent years. It is necessary for the success of rural businesses and the improvement of the standard of living in rural areas.

Process of making clay structures; Image source: blogvirasatehind