In the dense green forests of Chhattisgarh, in a tribal village nestled among the hills, the clang of metal meets the whisper of legacy. Here lives Bheem Singh, a traditional Dhokra artisan, who belongs to one of India’s oldest metal-crafting tribes.

For over 4,000 years, the Dhokra (or Dokra) technique has transformed brass and bronze into mythological figures, tribal deities, animals, lamps, and jewelry—all created using the lost-wax casting method. Today, Bheem carries this prehistoric legacy forward, one sculpture at a time.

🔱 What is Dhokra Art?

Dhokra is a non-ferrous metal casting art that uses the lost-wax technique, one of the earliest known methods for metal casting. Dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization, this technique is still practiced almost exactly the same way by tribal artisans in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.

The beauty of Dhokra lies in its raw finish, fine detailing, and symbolic storytelling. Every piece—from a tribal goddess to an elephant or a ceremonial lamp—holds spiritual and cultural value.

👨🏭 Meet Bheem Singh – The Fire Sculptor

Bheem was born into a family of metal workers in the Bastar region. As a child, he watched his father mold wax into magic. “We don't just work with our hands,” Bheem says, “we work with our ancestors beside us.”

His first sculpture was a tribal drum player. Now, 30 years later, his home is filled with pieces that have traveled from local haats (markets) to international exhibitions.

“Each piece tells a story of our people—of forests, gods, and festivals,” Bheem says proudly. “No two are ever the same.”

🔥 The Lost-Wax Technique – A Process of Precision and Passion

The Dhokra process is long and labor-intensive, involving multiple stages:

1. Wax Modeling – The artisan shapes the design in beeswax, mixed with resin and charcoal.
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3. Clay Coating – The wax model is coated in layers of fine and coarse river clay to create a mold.
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5. Drying – The mold is dried in the sun for several days.
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7. Firing and Melting – The mold is baked in a traditional kiln; the wax melts and drains out, leaving a hollow form.
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9. Metal Pouring – Molten brass is poured into the cavity.
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11. Breaking the Mold – Once cooled, the clay mold is broken, revealing the final piece.
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13. Finishing – The sculpture is cleaned, polished, and detailed by hand.
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Every mold is used only once, which makes each Dhokra piece 100% unique.

🌱 Sustainable & Soulful

• Made from recycled metals like brass and bronze
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• Uses natural materials like beeswax and clay
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• Entirely handmade, with no use of machines or harmful chemicals
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Dhokra art is as eco-friendly as it is culturally significant.

🌍 Preserving a Dying Craft

While the Dhokra technique has been passed down for millennia, modern challenges threaten its survival—lack of awareness, mass production, and low market prices.

Bheem, however, is fighting back. He now:

• Teaches younger artisans in his community
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• Works with fair trade organizations
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• Sells his art online to a global audience
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“We don’t want sympathy,” he says. “We want dignity. We want our craft to be respected for its worth.”

🧡 Why Dhokra Belongs in Every Home

• It carries history, mythology, and tribal stories
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• It’s one-of-a-kind, each piece sculpted by hand
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• It supports indigenous Indian artisans
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• It adds an earthy elegance to any space
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Whether it's a dancing tribal couple or a sun motif pendant, a Dhokra piece is not just decor—it’s a soulful statement.

✨ Final Thoughts

In Bheem’s modest workshop, art is born from earth, wax, and fire. His sculptures are not just ornaments—they are echoes of ancient India, cast in metal, held in hand, and made with deep reverence.

Dhokra art is more than craft. It is a voice of India’s tribal heart. A voice that still speaks through the hands of artisans like Bheem Singh.