Dhokra

Dhokra is a unique casting tradition practiced particularly by the tribal groups in the tribal belt that runs from West Bengal and Bihar through Orissa into Madhya Pradesh and some parts of Andhra Pradesh.The best part of the Dhokra is that no two products are the same. Predominantly hollow cast, they use the method of Lost Wax casting.  The figures are generally small, depicting major or minor local dieties. This is made of river side clay and rice-husk, covered with fine clay on which details can be clearly formed. After this, thin thread like wires made of bee-wax are wound around it, completely covering the mould in parallel lines or diagonally. When the clay is dry it is securely bound with copper wires. The unit is now heated to melt and thus remove the wax. Then the molten metal is poured in. On cooling, the inside core is scrapped out through a hole or left behind to add weight and stability to the casted figure. At Cottage Dhokra figures of different varieties lik