Dhokra craft ~ Kondagaon

info_admin — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:35:22 +0000

This metal-casting tradition has not only been kept alive in Kondagaon, in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, but artisans here have truly taken it to another level. The name Kondagaon may evoke the feeling of a small village, but it is, in fact, a town. Within Kondagaon, the area of Bhelwapadar is where most of the Dhokra artisans work.
As the craft flourished, many people became involved in different stages of the process. Yet, traditionally, it is the Baghels, belonging to the Ghadwa community—who have practised this art across generations. In Kondagaon, most artworks are inspired by elements of nature and tribal life. The socio-cultural narratives that craftsmen see and hear around them are beautifully sculpted using natural mediums, carrying forward both heritage and storytelling.

The post Dhokra craft ~ Kondagaon first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

Bronze Icons Casting~ Swamimalai

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 10:32:37 +0000

The Swamimalai bronze icons are made by a community of artisans known as the ‘Sthapathis.’ Hindu worship has been inextricably linked with these bronze icons since time immemorial. These icons are not just symbols of worship, they are a reflection of the artistry and craft that is embedded in the Indian culture; they are emblems of the spirit of gods and goddesses; they are witness to the proposition that traditional handicraft can stand strong in the face of modernization. The magic in the fingers of the Sthapathis and their adherence to the Indian scriptures while crafting have earned these bronze icons worldwide acclaim. Moreover, the knowledge of making these bronze icons has been passed down from one generation to the next, corroborating the idea that art transcends all boundaries of life and death.

Though bronze icon making is an age-old Indian tradition, it was only during the Chola dynasty that this craft rose to the significance and occupied a central position in Indian culture and Hindu worship. After the Bhakti movement, a large number of temples were constructed all over South India. Subsequently, the expansion of the Chola dynasty led to the emergence of more temples in South India and the sponsorship of all art forms that were embedded in religious doctrines. Therefore, the synergy resulting from the temple creations, the power of the Chola dynasty, and their appreciation for Indian handicrafts fueled the success of the Swamimalai bronze icons that were based on the religious text of Shilpa Shastra Manasara.

The post Bronze Icons Casting~ Swamimalai first appeared on Craft Archive | Research on Indian Handicrafts & Handloom.

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Dhokra craft ~ Kondagaon

Bronze Icons Casting~ Swamimalai