Preserving heritage: Are we failing India's Dhokra artisans?

It is not perfect Its beauty lies in its imperfectionmdashits inability to foster an exact replication of its counterpartsThis quality is what sets lsquoDhokrarsquo apart from innumerable massproduced machinemade goods that flood the Indian market Preserving these handcrafted treasures serves as a living testament to the diverse cultural landscape that define IndiaPrimarily practised by tribal artisans in Chhatisgarh and some belts of Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh West Bengal and Orissa this bell metal craft uses the lostwax casting technique also called lsquocire perduersquo Its origins can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation A bronze sculpture of a dancing girl which was excavated from Mohenjo Daro in 1926 is believed to be the earliest model of this techniqueMore than 4000years old the Dhokra art of nonferrous metal casting is not only a representation of the rich legacy of Indian crafts but also an important part of the identity of several tribes in India like the lsquoGhadwasrsquo in Bastar lsquoGhadnarsquo essentially means lsquocreating or giving shape to somethingrsquo a reflection of what these artisans do as a part of their culture as well as livelihoods This art form is characterised by folk motifs and imaginative designsAmidst rapid urbanisation and digitisation we rarely pause to appreciate the rich heritage of indigenous crafts now facing the threat of extinction As the pace of modernisation accelerates these traditional art forms once integral to Indiarsquos cultural identity teeter on the brink of being lost foreverWhat exactly is Dhokra How do the products take shape What does a day in the life of a Dhokra artisan look like Is this art form dying These questions lead us to a small village Kondagaon approximately 80 km away from Jagdalpur the administrative headquarters of Bastar districtAs we make our way to the countryside navigating through Sal treelined roads the presence of the craft is fairly visible Dogra elephants adorn the entrances of homes and shops selling these craft items can be seen In the workshop the artisans carry out their jobs without distraction each skillfully completing their tasks in different stages of the production processTheDhokraprocessShabbir Nag who runs the unit takes us through the process that starts with black soil and ends with beautiful metal artefacts that range from animals tribal figurines Gods objects of everyday use Jhitku Mitki sculptures important figures of Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand folklore and moreThree types of soils are used in the making of Dhokra artefacts ndash dry black soil khet ki mitti soil from river banks nadi kinaare ki mitti and mud from mounds made by termites deemak mitti The black soil mixed with rice husk is used to build the base which is then covered with another layer of soilOnce this is in place natural wax is used to add the design and intricate details Wax threads cover the base after which it is evened out and finer detailing and intricate carvings in the design are doneThe design and detailing is done using wax Pics Special ArrangementThe object is then covered with a thick layer of clay and heated at about 1300 degree Celsius so that the wax melts away Molten metal brass alloys is then poured into the productsMolten metal is poured into the mouldsThe metal takes the shape of the mould and the outer mud covering is broken thus creating the final product This whole method is called lostwax castingThe outer mud mould is broken and the metal artefact appearsEach product that lays in front of us has a unique design and finish Some of these we are informed are being made for Jaypore an artisanal lifestyle brand that collaborates with tribal artisans to take their craft to the larger populationArtistic skills passed through generationsWhen we bring Dhokra products home or gift them to someone seldom do we think of the work that goes into making them Metal casting is a tedious process that requires skill precision and experience A few hours standing around the burning furnace and we couldnrsquot stop our eyes from watering and our throats from coughing These artisans experience this on a daily basis from 8 AM to 4 PM and having mastered both the skill and the challenges that come with working in the workshop they are unbothered by it allNag was introduced to the craft as a child However his father had to leave the occupation due to several reasons His elder brother then resumed the legacy and Nag has been continuing it ever since He informs ldquoI used to work at another unit and earn Rs 5 per day It gradually reached Rs 28 per day Over time we saved some money and started this workshoprdquoNag reveals that 3040 artisans are associated with him currently and Dhokra is what helps them and their families sustain Depending on the work an artisan generally earns Rs 8000ndash10000 a monthShabbir Nag top left and a few people who work with himldquoI have been working here for 20 years now and through this I have been able to fund my daughterrsquos higher education Shersquos studying to be a lawyerrdquo shares Asha ji a 60yearold artisan at the workshopNag stresses that women are integral contributors to the whole process ldquoFrom mixing mud gobar etc to extracting wax strips to breaking the mud covering of the products women are involved in various parts of the processrdquo he saysAlso ReadMidday Special How this Mumbai village survives on the communityrsquos togethernessWhile Nagrsquos unit is able to sustain due to the scale of his operations and orders from urban brands not all 200250 tribal families that practise this craft in Kondagaon are thrivingIsDhokraadyingart formIn August last year this craft came into the spotlight when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a Dhokra artefact to Greece officials on his visit to the country This enchanting art form that tells stories of ancient tribal life attracts international attention and demand but it finds itself in challenging waters on the ground levelWhile several government schemes are in place for the advancement of the craft seldom do the benefits truly reach the intended beneficiaries Additionally changing lifestyles and lucrative professions is pushing it to the brink of extinction A dwindling interest in the craft from locals a market gap between traditional designs and urban preferences logistical challenges competition from machinemade goods etc are leading to limited reach and fewer takers for these artefacts Younger generation drawn to more stable careers is also leaving in pursuit of better opportunities and remunerationDhokra is fighting for survival and yearning for revival But all hope is not lostPerhaps the fact that two design students from a nearby university are at the workshop to observe and study the craft presents a glimmer of hope a sign that people are interested in knowing more about its history and culturePerhaps the fact that these products are reaching households across the country through various brands serves as a starting point to tap into the potential of its growth Reflecting on how this can help the craft prosper Radhika Chhabra Creative Head Jaypore says ldquoOur collaboration with the Ghadwa artisans has been a remarkable journey of mutual growth We take pride in preserving and promoting traditional crafts while also ensuring that the talented hands behind these creations receive the recognition and support they deserverdquoHowever a lot more needs to be done Better access to raw materials safe working conditions greater support from the government and social sector better promotional strategies and the creation of more marketplaces for the products can save this art form from dyingSupporting ancient crafts is about preserving tradition but also creating a sustainable future for tribal artisans who not only infuse their skills into these products but also their stories