Chhattisgarh
About this art form
Dhokra is one of the earliest known methods of non-ferrous metal casting, dating back over 4,000 years. Practised by the Ghadwa community of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the lost-wax (cire perdue) technique involves creating a clay core, wrapping it in beeswax threads, covering it with another layer of clay, and firing the mould so the wax melts away and is replaced by molten brass. No two Dhokra pieces are identical. The figurines typically depict tribal deities, animals and scenes from forest folklore.
The gallery
The hands
Add your perspective
Every region carries its own variant — different motifs, different techniques, different stories about why we make this. Tell us how Dhokra lives where you’re from.
Dhokra
by Arjun Patel24 hrs to make
₹3,500