India is a country that is well-known all over the world for the extensive cultural variety that it possesses. The local wares that are crafted by skilled craftspeople in various parts of our nation are highly sought after in markets all over the world. They are held in high regard as important relics that represent the culture and history of India. Handicrafts from India are typically made from natural raw materials and are therefore friendly to the environment. The Indian subcontinent is home to a vast number of distinct handicrafts, one of which is dhokra art. This art form has stood the test of time better than many others.
What is Dhokra Art:
The art of Dhokra, also known as Dokra art, is a form of metalworking that employs the cire perdue, also known as the lost wax technique. The beautiful artifacts that are shaped and decorated brassware products are referred to as "Dhokra," which is a Sanskrit word. Originally, this term referred to nomadic craftsmen who could be found in a number of different states in India, including West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala. The metalworkers of the Dhokra tribal group are well-known for their tenacity and the wide variety of designs that they create by drawing inspiration from Indian folk culture. Dhokra art is typically used to create miniature figurines of a wide variety of subjects, including animals, mythical characters, tribal people, drummers, and so on. The Dhokra Damar Tribes are legendary for the quality of their metalwork, which is where the name "Dhokra" comes from.
History of Dhokra Art:
It was around 4000 BC when a metal sculptor living in the Mohenjo-Daro civilization created a one-of-a-kind sculpture of a dancing girl. This is considered to be the beginning of Dhokra Art. This was the moment that marked the discovery of one of the oldest methods of casting technique known to humankind for non-ferrous metals. Additionally, references to it have been uncovered in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and a number of locations throughout Southeast Asia. In ancient India, the artist was also the craftsman, and the two roles were not distinguished; rather, the designs and their fabrication went hand in hand.
Manasollasa (written in the twelfth century), and Silparatna (written in the sixteenth century) are just two of the ancient texts that discuss hollow and solid wax casting. In the twentieth century, this type of artifact was traded all over the world. It is interesting to note that the craft gained prestige in Hindu society due to the religious importance of metal icons. Due to the fact that many of the metal statues were venerated in Hindu temples. Thus, many families have passed down the art of cire perdue from generation to generation.
The Process of Making Dhokra Art:
The Dhokra figurines are produced through a process known as a lost wax casting, which utilizes non-ferrous metals. The creation of these one-of-a-kind artifacts requires a significant amount of laborious effort on everyone's part.
Clay is used to fashioning a miniature replica of the finished artifact before moving on to the next step. After being exposed to the sun for a period of time to dry, this clay is then covered in wax in order to give it a substantial thickness. After the wax layer has been completely removed and allowed to dry, the surface is then coated with multiple layers of clay until the final mold has reached the desired degree of thickness. After that, it is heated to melt the wax layer that has accumulated. After that, once the wax has been removed, the clay figurine's shape is cast by pouring molten metal into the space that was previously occupied by the wax. After the metal has been allowed to dry and cooled, the clay mold is then broken up into several pieces. Due to the fact that the mold was broken, no two pieces of Dhokra artifacts will ever look exactly the same. The process of making Dhokra artifacts is not complete until the figurine has been colored, and then the figurine is given an additional layer of wax coating as the very last step.
Why is Dhokra Art considered a dying art form?
Dhokra art is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful ancient crafts in the world. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that this highly prized craft is probably going to experience a clear decline due to the reasons that are mentioned below.
1. Because of the rising cost of raw materials, the artisans are finding it harder and harder to maintain the same level of enthusiasm for the production of these items.
2. A disappointing development for these artisans is that the increasing price of the finished product is luring fewer customers to purchase it.
3. Because they continue to use the same antiquated methods and because they do not have access to modern technology or infrastructure, they are experiencing a delay in production that cannot be matched in this age of rapid change.
4. A great obstacle to adapting to modernizations and keeping up with contemporary demand is a lack of knowledge about the new designs that are being experimented with all over the world, a lack of inspiration to work with something new, and a lack of encouragement to work with innovative ideas.
5. The indifference of the government has been a primary factor in both their continued low socioeconomic status and their diminishing motivation to maintain this centuries-old and priceless cultural practice.
A ray of hope for the future of Dhokra Art:
In the 1940s, a new approach to this technique was developed. On the international market, the demand for Dhokra art has increased at an exponential rate, and as a result, the craftsmen have adopted contemporary motifs such as popular Indian images of both religious and everyday scenes, utilitarian bowls, lamp caskets, peacocks, owls, temple deities, musicians, and dancers are among the popular motifs. The Dhokra art form is utilized in the production of a variety of artifacts, including jewelry and other types of accessories. In order to appeal to a wider audience across the globe, contemporary artisans often incorporate contemporary fashions and innovations into the traditional designs they create. The artifacts are reduced in size and weight while preserving the essential qualities of the art form in order to make it more accessible to people from all walks of life and at a price they can afford.
The United States and the United Kingdom are at the forefront of a new international market. The unique Dhokra items are sought after by the fashion houses of Milan, Paris, and London, which may provide a new source of relief for these unfortunate practitioners. Its striking originality and simplicity captivate the public. The original tribal flavor of these artifacts is appreciated by the People for its rustic and primitive appearance.
Dhokra Art in West Bengal:
Bikna is a small village in the Bankura-II Block of West Bengal's Bankura District. Dhokra art in Bikna dates back roughly 150 years. At that time, a number of skilled workers moved from the Chotonagpur area to the Rampur area near Bankura. Shilpadanga is the name given to the area of Bikna that has become home to many Dhokra artists. Because of the widespread practice of this craft in this village, it got an interesting moniker, ‘Dhokra Art Village’ of Bengal. To take a glimpse into how this incredible art form is practiced, our Jeenalavie team traveled to Bikna to meet the hardworking artisans in person.
There are currently 163 artisans, including women, from 58 families involved in this historic practice. The word "Karmakar," meaning "metal workers," describes their ethnic group. In 2013, a society called Bankura Bikna Hastajata Dokra Kutir Shilpa Kalyan Samity was established for the artists to work together. In spite of a lot of challenges and poverty, it's inspiring to see how dedicated these artisans are toward their craft and how much they are putting effort to keep this age-old tradition alive. Their passion is very much palpable in each piece of artifact they make.