Isn’t it surprising that an art that has been existing for the last 4000 years still continues to create an impactful place in the world through its prolific design? The marvel of Dhokra designs goes back to the Indus Valley Civilization, making them tales as old as time! Let’s discover how the art of Dhokra and its intricate designs have evolved over ages and kept their foothold strong in a dynamic society.
An Art Born in the Earliest Civilizations
When we say that Dhokra art has been alive for more than 4 millennia, we can take you right back to the earliest civilizations of humankind - the Harappan civilization and Mohenjo Daro. These are the sites where the very first traces of Dhokra art were excavated in the form of the famous ‘Dancing Girl’ figurine.
The prehistoric Dancing Girl statue is a bronze figurine which dates back to 2300-1750 BC. It was unearthed from Mohenjo Daro, a prominent city of the Indus Valley Civilization. Cast using the age-old lost wax technique. The unique designs have been passed down ever since to the Dhokra artists of the contemporary times.
What Comprises the Dhokra Design?
Dhokra handcrafted products have been the true embodiment of natural motifs and rustic concepts that were refined over the centuries. If one takes a close look at the making of a Dhokra piece, the design comes naturally to the product. One of the main aspects of the Dhokra design is the slender threads of wax that are wrapped around the mould. This gives way to the creation of ridges throughout the product, a notable feature of every Dhokra product. Apart from these slender circular ridges, elements like leaves, flowers, the Sun, the Moon, spirals and some geometrical patterns are staple Dhokra designs.
Major Changes over the Years
Considering an art that has stuck around for centuries, the changes noted in Dhokra designs are comparatively less. The method of moulding and casting remains largely unchanged - following multiple steps of creating moulds, layers and designing. Very little is known about the ancient casting techniques. However, considering the primitive style used today, it doesn’t seem to have been any more regressive than this.
1. Product Range - Early tribals crafted Dhokra products for their personal use and local sale. The product range of the past primarily comprised idols for worship or statues from folklore. Thus, the most common Dhokra statues included those of Jhitku-Mitki, Matamurti, measuring bowls, elephants and horses.
With an increase in demand from the urban sector, tribal Dhokra artists have come to incorporate home decor products, modern idols and items of utility into their product range. Flower vases, pen-stands, ash trays, mobile holders and even face masks have now become common Dhokra products. The collection of Dhokra jewellery has also greatly evolved, meeting the needs of not just national but international fashion and art connoisseurs.
2. Use of Colour - Ancient Dhokra pieces do not exhibit any traces of colour on them. They were, as the usual routine follows, polished thoroughly once the final product was broken out from the mould. What made these products distinct was the patina that formed over the surfaces naturally, giving them the ultimate antique feel. In response to modern requirements, Dhokra karmakars in the present times, have to ensure that the products have shiny surfaces which are often lacquered to avoid darkening. It was not until 2018 that Dhokra artisans started experimenting with colour on their products. Parts of Dhokra jewellery in a statuette or the tail of a peacock figure were painted with simple single colours like red to enhance the appearance of the products.
3. Demand vs Design - The primitive designs of Dhokra were extremely simple and rustic. They did not involve motifs and elements like the modern Dhokra accessories online. The reason behind this, as mentioned earlier, was the minimum supply that only reached local haats.
In the current scenario, we still find minimum knowledge about the craft at the state or national level. However, the authenticity and traditional antiques of the art took it to the international platform. They have been successfully displayed in foreign fashion shows and received much applause by patrons. Hence, to fulfil demands and to keep up with the expanding horizons, new designs and experimentation are always on the plate for contemporary Dhokra artists.
Sticking to the Roots
Change is the only dynamic in society. The Dhokra karmakars have been expedient in transforming their generational occupation to survive in the ever-changing world. We saw above the kind of changes embraced by artisans, but what should not be forgotten is that Dhokra still largely remains an art which is firmly implanted in its roots.
The motifs on jewellery may be different today, but they are still inspired by nature. Even though one finds products for utility and modern lifestyle in the Dhokra product range, they still exude their classic and rich aura. This is, in fact, one of the most important reasons why Dhokra is still an art that reminds us of history and remains the true embodiment of our rich heritage.
