Bastar Dhokra is one of the ancient, traditional art forms that that originated in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. They are prepared by the Ghadawa community and hence it is also known as the Ghadawa art.
Mostly, the Dhokra Products depict the tribal culture, people and their tools, instruments, animals, and nature. Artisans make idols of deities, and puja accessories like bells, oil lamps, incense stick holders, etc. Dhokra Metal Craft has its very foundation laid in the religious beliefs and practices of the people.
Dhokra Crafts are made by casting bell metal manually through the vanishing wax technique. All the decoration is done on the dyes with wax strings. Wax is the appropriate medium for this craft because of its unique softness and malleability. It can be drawn out in wires of required diameters and can be molded into the desired shapes.
Thread work is very common and also the fingerprint will be very much visible. The artisans design the products without any support of sketch, but by imagination. The entire process can be divided into five major parts as follows - Modeling, Molding, Dewaxing, Casting, and Finishing.
The technique is based on annealing, where the metal extract is heated to reach extremely high temperatures to melt. It is then filled in the pre-casted molds, where the metal is allowed to cool and take the shape of the mold. When the metal cools down, the cast is removed. Wire brushes are used to clean the dried soil stuck to it and filed to gently rub and clean to get the final product.
GI Tag Registration Date : 22 April 2008
GI Tag Number : 83
Certificate Number : 62
Geographical Area : Chhattisgarh
Special Cover Release Date : 31 July 2021
Cancellation : Jagdalpur HO 494 001
Type : GI Tag Special Cover
Enlarged View of Illustration
Enlarged View of Cancellation
Images of the few stamps issued on Bastar Dhokra is furnished below
Postage Stamp on Bastar Dhokra Issued on 15 November 2002
Handicrafts of India
Sheetlet on India Mongolia Joint Issue issued on 11 September 2006
Bastar Dhokra of replica of Equestrian Deity Rao Dev
Miniature Sheet India - Mongolia Joint Issue