Dhokra

 

 

Dhokra is a traditional handicraft of Odisha (Orissa) a state in the eastern side of India. This is a typical tribal craft in bronze with its mesh like features giving it a distinctive beauty. The tribal families of Sadeibareni, a village near Dhenkanal town produces this very unusual craft. There are many types of handicrafts in the state of Odisha and generally these people are very artistic. The Sun temple at Konark is a standing testimony to this.

The BELL METAL or DHOKRA is one of the earliest known methods of metal casting. This craft dates back to pre-historic time of Harrappa and Mohenjodaro period of Indus Civilization. The beauty of this art is that it is still done by hand without any advancement of technology!

Dhokra metal casting is perhaps the only living tradition of metal image making in Eastern India. The technique has managed to survive many centuries and change of dynasties owing to its modesty of application in everyday lives.

 

The Dhokra castings of figurines and different animals with their antique look, fits in with interior decor. Dhokra is an alloy of brass, nickel and zinc that gives an antique effect of the castings.

Earlier craftsmen used to create only traditional ritualistic items and decorative pieces but now with new designs inputs, there has been a lot of product diversification, resulting in numerous innovative utility items like door handles, lamp shades, hangers, boxes and caskets of different shapes and sizes. More than 10,000 unique old tradition and new design products are available right now and it is continuously increasing.