Dhokra lost wax metal casting is an ancient art form which has been practiced from hundreds of years in India. Intricate metal objects are created from wax itself. This technique began during the Indus Valley Civilization. This was recently discovered by archaeologists through the excavations of metal casting. This art form was passed like a beacon of light from one artist to another. As it has been passed on, it has also been developed into a variety of art forms and styles. They are created with a number of new Techniques.
The Process of Making It
The artisans follow a detailed process to create it. A wax model is made from the desired object. This task itself requires skill and many hours of proper shaping. It is covered with a layer of beeswax that is finely detailed. After that, there is a final layer of clay which is combined with a variety of materials like sawdust and charcoal. This helps in forming the outermost mold of the object. After the clay has properly melted, it is drained away smoothly.
Appreciation deserved by the Dhokra Craftsmen
The dhokra craftsmen are very skilled people who have been practicing this art for a number of decades. Intricate metal objects are created using a set of traditional tools and they have intricacy inlaid in them. They use these great techniques to make wonderful products like jewelry, figurines of Gods and goddesses and other items worth decorating. The best thing about these artisans are that they pay attention to detail and they can create the most complex designs with the maximum amount of precision.
If they are creating a kind of figurine, they will make certain that the eyes are huge and life like. They will create the best features and expressions. They will paint the art with the best brush strokes.
That is why these people deserve the maximum amount of appreciation because they give their best of each piece of craft.
Therefore, the artisans who practice this craft are not merely artisans but Also preservers of the great art of India.
The sad part is that despite the excellence of this craft, it is facing decline due to a number of reasons prevalent in the modern era. Firstly, the process requires labor that is continuous and the workers get a really low wage for the kind of good craftsmanship that they provide. Other than that, many cheap, machine made goods are available for a lesser price which spoils the reputation of such an amazing craft.
In order to revive the craft, many training workshops and live sessions have been held which has helped young artists to understand the craft. Market support has also been provided by the government to the artisans which gives them the allowance to sell their products at a fair price.
Rejuvenation of the Craft
Other than that, they are also encouraged to experiment which helps them in selling their art to younger people. If you wish to support local artisans, you should always buy dhokra art pieces directly from organizations that are supportive of artists so that the pricing is extremely fair. Other than that, you can also promote cultural preservation by informing your family and friends about this art. The only reason why this art continues to thrive is because of the efforts of the support organizations as well as NGO’s. This art genuinely deserves to be preserved for generations to come. The best part about this craft is that it is an environmentally friendly method. There is almost no wastage. It aligns with the environmental needs of today’s era.
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee