Hyderabad: The dying art of Dhokra, a craft that involves non–ferrous metal casting using the long-lost wax casting technique, seems to be getting a new lease of life. Two artisans from a small village in Telangana state are trying to revive interest in the craft. In Keslapur in the Asifabad-Komaram Bheem district, about 50 families are engaged with the craft that is estimated to be 4,000 years old.
One of the earliest remnants of the craft is the Dancing Girl of Mohenjodaro. Mr Tulsiram and Kova Bhumeshwar, reputed artisans, gave a demonstration and showcased their skills to students of sculpture and art at the Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University here.
Today, Dhokra, known for its strength, is practised by the Ojha metalsmiths of Telangana state, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand. The style and workmanship differ from place to place. In Telangana state, the artisans are Wojaris or Ojjis, who make the brass objects us-ing the tedious but perfect lost wax technique while casting the metal.
Mr K. Srinivas Chari, head of the department of painting and sculpture, said: “The artisans displayed their skills in making bronze and brass objects using the casting technique. A clay model forms the core, and wax threads are wrapped around it to form a layer. This is covered with another layer of clay with a small aperture. Molten bronze or brass is poured in, which melts the wax, replacing it with brass or bronze.”
Mr Chari said the craftsmen were originally nomads who went from tribe to tribe, offering their services to make ceremonial and religious figures, ornaments and kitchenware. The Dhokra Damar tribes, traditional metal smiths of West Bengal, gave this art form its name.
Their handicrafts combine metallurgical skills with wax techniques to create artefacts of distinctive beauty. The artifacts include bird, animal and people figurines, kitchenware, tableware and other items that make for wonderful gifting options.
