Dhokra Metal Casting

Metal is a common craft tool among the tribes of India. Orissa is best known for its dhokra metal castings, an important traditional craft. Brass is the metal used and is cast by the lost wax method to make exquisite products.Dhokra casting is essentially a folk art that is limited to a few places, largely located in the south and west of Orissa, namely Kuliana in the Mayurbhanj district, Kaimatin Keonjhar district, Sadeiberni in the Dhenkanal district and Haradagaria in the Puri district and is practiced by an aboriginal caste called Sithulias. Other tribes practicing dhokra are Ghaniaran, Thatarian and Gharien. One type of dhokra handicraft that can be described as residual consists mainly of unique flexible brass items like the brass fish and snakes made by the craftsmen of Belguntha in the Ganjam district.

Basic Raw materials Required

Brass
Bees wax (mohum)
Coal

Tolls used for Dhokra Metal Casting  Craft

Furnace (bhatti)
Sulka (to give impressions)
Small chisel (nihan)
Big chisel (batani)
Hammer
Graphite container to melt brass (kui)

Firstly, the craftsman start preparing the casting furnace and the wax image. The wax and the resin (dhuna) should be correctly mixed with oil to make the necessary lump. The image to be made must be vividly visualized by the craftsman through meditation, until it is ready to be modeled in the prepared lump of wax. When the wax-image is done it has to be purified with pancha- varna or the five powdered pigments. The joints of the component parts of the wax model should be reinforced with copper rods or nails before being covered by the clay mould.

The craftsman sculptures a wax model of the metal object desired, makes a mould of clay, pours molten metal into a hole in the mould, breaks away the clay, brings out the object and finally smoothes and polishes it.

The items produced are mainly figures of Gods,Goddesses, religious animals and birds besides other objects required for rituals. Ornaments like necklaces, bracelets and decorative pieces are also made. The rustic and antique finish of Dokra gives it a distinctive appearance which appeals to a wide market at home and abroad.