In the remote tribal heartland of Chhattisgarh, the ancient art of Dokra, a 4,000-year-old metal-casting technique fights for the survival, writes GYANESHWAR DAYAL
The nondescript district of Kondagaon, about 80 kilometres from Jagdalpur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, is home to a population of around six lakhs and is renowned for its world-famous Dokra art, which is still practiced by a small tribal community of Ghadwa artisans here. As we approach the place we have no idea of their life and livelihood and do not know what we are going to see. All we know is that Dokra is an ancient metal casting that has been around for over 4,000 years. But in these modern times, it is finding tough to survive. It is a dying art form with the people who practice it reluctant to pursue it for the want of work and remuneration.
On the way we are told by Navaldeep Thareja, a friendly guy who works with this community and is into documenting these art forms, that Dokra art is one of the oldest known methods of metal casting, using the lost wax technique that has remained unchanged over millennia. The Ghadwa craftsmen, belong to ‘Dokra nag’ tribe, create detailed sculptures and figurines-depictions of gods, animals, tribal stories, and everyday objects-all shaped with remarkable precision. Each piece, made from an alloy of brass, is characterised by its rustic appeal and distinct style, marked by thin shapes and rich textural patterns. What sets Dokra apart is that no two pieces are ever identical, ensuring that each creation holds unique cultural value. Originating from the tribal communities of Kondagaon, this intricate craft has managed to survive centuries of change but now it is dying out, as the artisans struggle to maintain sustainable livelihood, facing competition from modern industries.