Dokra Artwork

Dokra artwork Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India presented French President Emmanuel Macron with a meticulously crafted Dokra artwork.

About Dokra Artwork

• Dokra art whichis also known as bell metal craft traces its origins back more than 4,000 years.
• It is a form of folk art practiced by the Dhokra Damar tribes, who are traditionally metalsmiths.
• These artisans are primarily found in eastern India, including West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, with a notable presence in Chhattisgarh as well.

Features of Dokra Artwork

• No two pieces are ever the same.
• Each sculpture is painstakingly handcrafted, drawing inspiration from mythology, nature, and daily rituals.

Process of Dokra Artwork

• The method of making Dokra is done by combining the metallurgical skills with that of the lost wax technique.
• Artisans begin by sculpting a basic clay model of the desired object.
• This model is then coated in wax, where fine details are meticulously etched. Another clay layer is added to form a mold, into which molten metal—typically brass or copper—is poured.
• The heat melts the beeswax, allowing the liquid metal to take the shape of the original model. Once cooled and hardened, the outer clay mold is broken away, revealing the finished sculpture.

Issues with Dokra Artwork: The rapid pace of urbanization, coupled with the rise of mechanized production techniques, has threatened the livelihoods of traditional artisans and endangered this ancient craft.

Dokra Artwork FAQs

Q1: What is the Dokra technique?

Ans: It involves patterning a clay core intricately with wax ribbons and then coating it carefully with a mix of clay and hay.

Q2: What is the material of Dokra?

Ans: The Dokra artifacts are made in brass

Source: TOI