The Ancient Craft of Dhokra

The ancient craft of Dhokra involves a lost-wax casting method predominantly practiced in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, India.

This 4,000-year-old art form is evidenced by the ‘dancing girl’ artifact from Mohenjo-Daro. Dhokra items are characterized by their shiny brass appearance, often shaped into decorative pieces or jewelry.

Known locally as the ‘Dholai’ process, Dhokra begins with beeswax, which is shaped into the desired design of the final artifact within a clay mold. Once the wax is in place, a thin funnel channels liquid brass from a ‘bhatti’ or kiln. The hot brass melts the wax and assumes its shape. After removing the clay mold, the artisan unveils the Dhokra piece.

The final step involves polishing the rough edges of the Dhokra item with a brush and cloth to ensure usability.

In Dhokra craftsmanship, the precision of the wirework, the quality of the brass, and the detailed designs contribute to its status as a meticulous Indian art form.