Fruits of Intensive Labour
The Dokra art form has been practised by generations of regional artisans for over 4000 years. An alluring charm of this craft - it has lasted through numerous generations, with its techniques and secrets carefully preserved. The roots of the craft trace back to Mohenjo-Daro, the largest known settlement of the Indus Valley civilization. Several objects discovered in Mohenjo-Daro, were crafted through the Dokra technique. Many aspects, including the technique used, make the craft unique.
The process of making Dokra is intricate as the objects are hand-crafted mainly using brass with the lost wax technique, and the pieces do not have any joints. This craft is considered highly labour-intensive because even the smallest of artefacts can take around four to five days of intensive work to produce. Some more complicated and intricate designs may take three to four weeks to prepare for the markets. The more elaborate the design, the longer it takes for craftsmen to cast it. For larger pieces with multiple pieces, the craftsmen cast these objects in parts and solder them together. Smaller pieces are cast in one swift procedure.
A skilled and elegant combination of the lost wax technique with metallurgical skills and the magic of the craftsmen helps bring life to these artefacts. These objects have a distinctive look and exude elegance. Every Dokra artefact is a one-in-one piece because the mould employed during the lost wax technique is used only once, after which it is broken. Each Dokra figurine available in the market will never resurface once sold. These traditionally designed artefacts are aesthetically appealing and are sought-after by collectors globally.
Fusing Tradition with Utility
There is a wide variety of products available. Dokra craftsmen produce artefacts for different purposes, such as utility, functionality, and decoration. Strolling through the markets, one will see many metallic figurines of animals, birds, idols, tribal depictions, and many others. A trendy set of objects is measuring cups and bowls. The functional and utility pieces attract many buyers due to their unique charm and appeal.
