Casting - Craft Documentation & Online Research Archive

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.

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Lacquer Wood, Nirona- Kutch

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 12:13:09 +0000

The lacquered wooden products crafted in Nirona village have a unique kaleidoscopic appeal. Artisans create a variety of functional wooden products using simple lathe tools, demonstrating not only their talent and creativity but also their dedication to preserving age-old techniques. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, lacquered wooden products play a vital role in the economic sustainability of artisans’ families, serving as a crucial source of income. Moreover, the allure of these unique creations attracts tourists and art enthusiasts, fostering cultural exchange and generating economic benefits for the community.

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Bidri ~ Bidar

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 06:19:53 +0000

The beauty of the aesthetic designs and patterns etched in silver against the deep black colour makes the products appealing to the eye and draws a large number of consumers world-wide. The unique aspect of the Bidri craft is the soil used to ornament the art objects. This soil has not received rain or sunlight for centuries and is collected by artisans from the inner areas of the Bidar Fort.

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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.

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Koftgiri~Udaipur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 10:32:41 +0000

Damascening is the art of encrusting one metal on another, which are soldered on or wedged into the metal surface to which they are applied, but in the form of wire, which by undercutting and hammering is thoroughly incorporated with the metal which it is intended to ornament. Damascening is now practiced with great success in India, Persia and Spain.

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Lac bangles~jaipur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 07:38:06 +0000

The lac bangles are vibrant manifestations of resin, crafted by the artisans in Jaipur. These bangles being an integral part of culture in Jaipur, attract localities and visitors alike.

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Silver Jewelry~Bhuj

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 07:00:01 +0000

A display of superior craft skill, the silver jewelry of Kutch is more than just ornamentation. They serve as markers used to differentiate various tribes of the region. Their simplified forms and elaborate textures employ techniques of high precision. Each piece of jewelry has a definitive purpose and is worn as per the age, handed down by the ancestors as heirloom wealth.

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Metal Utensils~Jaipur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 13:06:07 +0000

Music, they say, is the silence between two notes. The silence becomes even more omnipresent as it makes rare appearances between the constant sounds of metal being beaten in the ‘Thatheron ki gali’. This street in Jaipur is a home to utensil makers, locally known as the ‘thathere’ and is as old as the city itself.

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Lac bangles~Mandsaur

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:06:00 +0000

The lac bangles are vibrant manifestations of resin, beautifully crafted by the artisans. Lac is a versatile material and the bangles are made in a wide variety of designs. Bangles are considered to be a good omen, a sign of contentment and celebration.

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Jewellery~Jobat

Gaatha A tale of crafts — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 11:41:29 +0000

Once the marriage is fixed, the girl escorted by womenfolk singing folk songs is taken to the silversmiths’, where she picks and chooses ornaments from a plethora of options. The singing and swaying women walk around the weekly fair, while the bride carries the stacked up jewelry in a basket on her head. In Jobat, the craftsmen still continue the craft of making tribal jewelry for Bhils and Bhilalas. As expressions of their age-old traditions and customs, they brim with a raw appeal and are purchased in plenty from the local markets during occasions such as marriages.

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