Prime Minister of India gifted a Dokra artwork to French President Emmanuel Macron during the AI Summit in Paris, showcasing India’s rich handicraft traditions.

Dokra Metal Craft

• The word “Dhokra” is believed to be derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes, the traditional metal smiths of Central India.
• Dokra (Dhokra) is a non-ferrous metal casting technique using the lost-wax casting method.
• Practiced for over 4,000 years, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization (e.g., Mohenjo-daro’s Dancing Girl figurine).
• Known for primitive simplicity, unique folk motifs, and handcrafted designs without joints.

Traditional Practitioners & Regions

• Practiced by Dhokra Damar tribes, originally from Odisha & West Bengal, later migrating across India.
• Found in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu.
• Geographical Indication (GI) tag:
  • Adilabad Dokra (Telangana) in 2018.
  • Dokra craft from West Bengal in 2018.

Features of Dokra Art

• Unique Pieces: No two pieces are identical as the mould is destroyed after casting.
• Handcrafted Metalwork: Made from brass and copper-based alloys.
• Intricate Designs: Includes elephants, horses, religious deities, lamps, jewellery, and tribal motifs.

About Lost-Wax Casting Process

• A metal casting technique where a molten metal is poured into a mould created using a wax model.
• Historical Significance: One of the oldest known metal casting methods, dating back over 4,000 years (e.g., Indus Valley Civilization’s “Dancing Girl”).
• Lost Wax Technique:
  • A clay core is created, and wax is used to shape the design. 
  • The wax is then covered with clay, and the mold is heated, melting the wax. 
  • Molten brass is poured into the mold, creating the sculpture. 
  • The mold is broken, and the finished sculpture is left. 

Casting Methods

• Solid Casting (South India): Uses a single wax piece to create the mould.
• Hollow Casting (Central & Eastern India): Uses a clay core with a wax overlay.