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The name Dokra or Dhokra was used to indicate a
group of craftsmen of nomadic type, scattered over Bengal, Orisa and
Madhya Pradash and ware identified by their beautifully shaped and
decorated metal products. The craftsmen have latter on settled down
in some areas of Bardwan, Bankura and Midapur districts of West
Bengal leaving their nomadic character. Most of such craftsmen had
left the craft leaving only a few families in the trade.
Dokra system of metal casting is said to be
oldest form of metal casting and is technically known as ‘cire
perdue’ or lost wax process. A replica of the desired product is
made with wax on a clay core with all its finer details of designs
and decorations. A few coats of finely prepared clay paste is
applied over the model and dried in the shade. The technique of
casting revolves round replacement of wax with molten metal by the
traditional hollow casting method. Brass scrap in generally used as
raw material.
In recent years, the product of Dokra artisans
are in great demand in domestic and foreign market because of it
primitive simplicity enchanting folk motifs and forceful form.
Products like dokra horses, elephants, peacock owl, religious
images, and measuring bowls, lamp caskets etc., are highly
appreciated.
[57 families are still engaged in the crafts
scattered in the districts like Bankura, Birbhum, Burdwan and
Midnapur.]
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