Handmade in India

DHOKRA-LOST WAX METAL CASTING
Production Clusters DHOKRA IS THE name given to metal cast objects in brass or bell metal made
across central and eastern India.An ancient craft,it is made by the lost wax or cire
Ranchi district:
perdue process,which is one of the oldest metal casting techniques known to
Khunti:Bajar talei civilization.Usually,an item has intricate surface ornamentation in the form of
Dumka district
pellets,lattices and spirals.A mould must be broken to extract the piece being
made;hence each piece is a unique expression.In the Ranchi region,dhokra is
Sikarpara
made by the nomadic Malhore craftsmen.The Jadupatua painters practice dhokra
in Dumka region.
Products
Animal and human
figures,Deities
Door handles,Bowls
Ashtrays, Bottleopeners
Diyas-oil lamps,
candle stands
Face masks,Small
toys
Amulets, Anklets,
Pendants
There are myriad themes:animal
forms,mythical creatures,and vignettes from
everyday life.For the local markets,the
craftspersons make figurines of gods and
goddesses,and items of daily use,like the
pyala,which is a measuring cup.Dhokra
objects art are popular in national and
international markets:items like stylized door
handles,human and animal figurines are made
to order.Stylized representations of Hindu
gods are popular.Items are priced according to
the weight and quantity of metal used-the
more the metal,the costlier an item.Market
exposure comes from the works being
displayed and sold through state emporia or
voluntary organizations.
Pyala,the measuring jar,made in different
sizes is the most traditional of all dhokra
products.Each size is equivalent to a specific
weight and is used to measure rice and grains.