Dokra of Dwariapur
Amritha RS
Dokra of Dwariapur
Copyright Š 2019 by Amritha RS All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Printed in India First printing 2019 Kerala State Institute of Design, KSID Rd, Chandanathope, Kerala , India -691014.
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Introduction West Bengal Purbha Bardhaman Other Crafts of Bardhaman Dwariyapur How To Reach Dokra Materials Tools and Equipments The Process The Products Artisans Organizations Market Study Acknowledgment Reference
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Introduction Craft documentation at Kerala State Institute of Designs was made part of the curriculum to enhance the students’ research, communication and documentation abilities in their particular area of specialization. Handicrafts are a sector where useful and decorative crafts are made completely by hand or using other simple tools. Usually the terms are used to traditional way of making items. The crafts often have the cultural or religious significance. The craftsmen in India are belonging to a caste, tribe or a community and yet each working as individual with his or her own past and hopes for the future. Looking at the increasing global craft reorganization, I choose to spread awareness about Dokra of Dwariapur, of West Bengal as a craft to larger audience by the means of documentation. 7
West Bengal West Bengal is located in the eastern part of India and is the fourth most populated state, with over 91 million Inhabitants. Together with the neighboring nation of Bangladesh, It makes up the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal. It is noted for its cultural activities and the presence of cultural and educational institution; the sate capital Kolkata is known as the cultural capital of India. The state cultural heritage, besides varied folk traditions, ranges from stalwarts in literature including Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore to scores of musicians, film makers and artists. West Bengal being a major agricultural state produces a lot of rice and fish is an integral part of daily diet and is seen in most of the craft as motif. 8
Festivals
Durga Puja is the biggest, most popular and widely celebrated festival of West Bengal. Poush mela is a popular winter festival of Shantiniketan, with performances of folk music, Baul songs, dance, and theatre taking place throughout the town.
By Subhrajyoti07 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74040778
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Purba Bardhaman Purba Bardhaman district is in West Bengal. It was formed on 7 April 2017 after bifurcation of the erstwhile Bardhaman district and its headquarters is Bardhaman. 10
Other Crafts of Bardhaman
Wooden Doll of Natungram Natungram is the hub of Wooden Doll making. Craftspersons from this area are traditionally practicing the art form and for most of them it is their primary livelihood. Around 51 families living in the area are involved in doll making. The craft making is a family based activity in which men are skilled in wood carving and women do the coloring. The doll makers have last name Bhaskar, meaning sculptor or Sutradhar, meaning story teller. 11
Bamboo Works of Bardhaman The bamboo crafts man uses bamboo to make winnows, a type of tray-like bamboo basket used in Bengal, for everyday use and rituals. Different types of baskets, hand held fan, sieves etc. are also made, then painted with auspicious symbols and are used in marriage and other ceremonies. Nowadays, crafts persons are producing various diversified products like lampshades, coasters etc. New designs and decorative items being attempted by the crafts persons. 12 http://ruralcrafthub.com/handicrafts/bamboo-works-of-bardhaman-birbhum-malda-uttar-dinajpur-and-dakshin-dinajpur/
Sholapith of Bardhaman Making Shola items is a tradition in Bardhaman. The Shola artists, known as Malakars, do some exquisite, intricate work by cutting and carving the reed to make decorative items of varied kinds, including masks. Shola artists make widely popular Daker Saaj for the idols of Hindu gods and goddesses, across Bengal and beyond. The leading crafts persons run the operations by employing other members of the community to manufacture the items. 13 Iamjfcal [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
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Dwariapur Dwariapur is a village in Purba Bardhaman district. And is famous for its Dokra metal craft. As per the 2011 Census of India Dwariapur had a total population of 3,571, of which 1,764 (49%) were males and 1,807 (51%) were females. Population below 6 years was 460. The total number of literates in Dwariapur was 2,302 (74.00% of the population over 6 years) Ilambazar forest is very close to this community settlement in Dwariapur and Sal trees are abundantly available in this forest. 15
How to Reach Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, Durgapur is the nearest airport. It is around 72.2 kms from Dwariapur. 12.8 km by road from Bardhhaman, district capital of Purba Bardhhaman district From Santinikethan, Bolpur to Guskara is around 22.7kms. Nearest railway station is Guskara is around 4.4 km from Dwariapur Dokra village. From Guskara you can take a bus or an electric auto. 16
Kochi
Kolkata
Dwaiapur Dokra village`
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Dokra
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History Dokra is one of the ancient Indian art forms showcasing the local lifestyle and culture of people making the art. The lost or vanishing wax casting method of metal casting, popularly known as Dokra, is a primitive technique, which can be traced back to the Indus valley civilization. This art is considered popular because of its wide usage, cultural connectivity, and folk charisma. The craft has historically been associated with the ‘tribal’ culture of India. For many centuries, its hub was in the metal-rich region of Central India. The bronze cast dancing girl model from the ruins of Mohenjodaro seems to be representative of this class of technique.
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Folklore About three thousand years ago the king of Bastar had assigned a Dokra art necklace for his beloved wife. He was charmed on seeing the necklace. Witnessing the beauty of the necklace he honored the craftsmen with the title “Ghadwa”. The name Ghadwa has been derived from the word Ghalna meaning melting and working with wax. It’s also derived from the word Ghadna meaning the act of shaping and creating. They are also known as Vishwakarmas, Ghasias, Mangan and Kansara in some regions of India. 21
The community Dokra Karmkars The community involved in Dokra craft is called Ghadwa. They are a group of artisans who supply utensils made out of brass and other metals to the villages for their daily use. They claim that their ancestors were tribals and had migrated from Maharashtra and got settled in Bastar about many centuries ago. A group of nomads have been successful in practicing this art since Indus Valley Era to this modern age. There has been change in the thought process, lifestyle, form and appeal but their style remains the same. Initially the outcome of this craft were idols, which was an essential part of their culture. Gradually with changing times and exposure to current trends the artisans have started entering Life Style market. 22
Wandering Tribe The tribe extends from Jharkhand to West Bengal and Orissa. They are distant cousins of the Chattisgarh Dokras. A few hundred years ago, the Dokras of Central and Eastern India traveled south as far as Andhra Pradesh and north as far as Rajasthan and hence are now found all over India. The main pockets practicing Dokra are Bastar in Chattisgarh, Ushegaon and Chittabori in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh, Puri, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Khurda in Orissa, Purulia, Burdwan, Bankura and Midnapore in West Bengal and semi-tribal communities in living at the mountain ranges of Vindhya. 23
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Materials 1. Cow dung 2. Bee wax – Used for making the model in hollow casting method, giving integrate details on the model and tar making. 3. Sal tree gum 4. Coal 5. Red soil - Core material that is used for making the first model of the final product taken from the nearby area. 6. Brick – Used for making the kiln 7. Water-Used for kneading the mud. 8. Brass - Core material used for making Dokra 9. Sand - Mixed with soil to cover the outer layer. 10. Mustard Oil Coal, Charcoal and – Used to burnt in the furnace to obtain high amount of heat. Sal tree gum, Mustard Oil and Bee wax heated and tar is made which is used for covering the model in solid casting and giving details. 25
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Tools and Equipment’s 1. Temporary kiln- which takes two and a half hours 2. Traditional kiln- which takes one and a half hour to bake the model 3. Buffing and Grinding machine- For finishing the final product. 4. Customized tools- Some customized tools for melting the tar and wax other one is to remove the clay from small areas etc. 5. Electric kiln- which will bake in one batch within 5 minutes, artisans are not using this one because of the shortage of electricity. 6. Stone container - Used for melting the brass 7. Big tongs- Used for taking the baked clay model from furnace and to hold stone container for poring melted metal. 8. Hammer - Used for removing the clay mold. 27
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The Process There are two main processes of lost wax casting: solid casting and hollow casting. In solid casting the core mold will be clay and in hollow casting the core mold will be bee wax. Hollow casting does not use a clay core but instead a solid piece of wax to create the mold; Solid casting is the more traditional method and uses the clay core. 29
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Solid Casting
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1. Creating objects in clay , slightly smaller than the actual object. 2. Keeps for drying in sunlight. 3. Heating the tar, till it becomes soft for application. 4. Tar applied object 5. Threads are made using tar and carved in all its finer details of design and decorations. 6. Applying one layer of clay over the design which takes the negative form of the wax on the inside, thus becoming a mold for the metal that will be poured inside it. 31
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Clay covered items kept for drying. Inserting Channel to facilitate the metal flowing in while firing. One or more pouring channels is provided,through which molten metal can run to fill the mold. Sand is strained to remove to get a finer sand particles. A pot of clay is made up sand and red soil for strength) is made. It has a top opening where the brass junk is placed which would in turn melt while firing. Pots are kept for drying in sunlight. Preheating the kiln. Adding coal to it. Placing pots in kiln and firing. 33
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15. Completing the kiln with bricks. 16. Loading the kiln with cow dung. 17. Taking the mold from the kiln with a long tong. 18. Sometimes there will be holes in the pot and melted metal will flow out from the holes. So it is covered by clay after taking out. 19. After cooling out the artifact is broken out of the mold. 20. Artifacts are kept for cleaning. 21. Left over clay is removing from the artifact. 22. The process of grinding and polishing being done. 35
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Hollow Casting 1. Wax is heating to become soft. 2. Creating objects in wax slightly smaller than the actual object. 3. Core molds are kept in a try for more detailing 4. Tar threads are made by heating and stretching the tar. Craftsman knows how many layer of tar threat is needed for each design. 5. The core model is given fine details with tar thread. 6. Detailed finished wax objects are kept in water so they wont melt and change their shape. After this process rest of the process are same as solid casting(Process no.6 to Process no.22) 37
Some of the old artifacts displayed in the Dokra museum Dwariapur.
The Products Olden days the main products were Lakshmi Narayan idols, Lakshmi on elephant, Measuring bowls, jewelries, decorative items and Lakshmi and 12 saj’s (Pigeons, conch, fish, goat, peacock etc.) The crafts man uses to go to the nearby villages and sell their products. Some times they have to travel a lot of distance to sell their products. The designs are mainly inspired from the nature,Hindu mythology, their daily life activities. Flora and fauna of the place also inspires them a lot for making the craft. And some of the similar motifs you can see in the entire state. 38
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Now the demands have been changed. So crafts man is now making new range of products like candle stand, door handle, pencil stand, ash tray, spoons, Ganesh, raven, miniature sculpture inspired from the day to day life of the villagers, baul singers etc. They also make according to the designs given by the customers and designers. Some of the young crafts men are getting workshops under different organizations. So that they can design their own design according to the new market trends.
Future Scope Suggestions With out changing the traditional designs some products they can create with the help of some other companies. Example Dokra watches, Belt buckle,Lampshades, Government can give mementos made by the Dora artisans. 41
Artisans
Ganga Karmakar Ganga Karmakar is one of the oldest craftsman of dwariapur. He has been exposed to this craft since childhood. His father Baikunth Karmakar was known for his skills and was rewarded with the national award. Ganga has tried learning the art from his father. He used to observe his father working and has great respect towards him. Ganga Karmakar makes artefacts with pure aesthetic value. Like deer, elephant, nandi, ganeesh, horse. His wife Santana and his son and his daughter in law help him in his work. 42
Santana Karmakar Santana Karmakar wife of Ganga Karmakar, she helps her husband in decorating the artifacts,making the temporary kiln, firing ivt and mainly she helps him to cover the holes of the baked clay pot. It is a very risky task because it will be leaking and they cover it with mud using their bare hands. 43
Gaurangu Karmakar Gaurangu Karmakar is a very humble young artisan from Dwariapur . He guided us to the entire village. He explained all the process and introduced most of the craftsmen in their community. Gaurangu Karmakar and his wife Pooja works together. They have two children and he earns around 10000 per month. 44
Pooja Karmakar Pooja Karmakarwife of Gaurangu Karmakar showing the crafts done by her family.
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Problems Faced by The Artisans 40 years back the craftsmen where staying in Dwariapur village only. The other village people wants them to go from their because of the excessive smoke coming form the kiln during the craft making process .It became an issue and the government gave the community a new place to stay with 20 quarters build by the government. Now the crafts men are going for other jobs under NREGA for 100 days because they are not earning that much to full fill their daily needs from this craft. Most of the people are suffering from breathing issues, eye sight problems and this is effecting their productivity. Their life span is very low, very few people survive above 65 years. 47
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Living Conditions and Housing 4
1. The Dwariapur Dokra settlement 2. Small temple of the community. 3. Quarters given by the government. 4. Newly built houses. 49
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Organizations Banglanatak.com In September 2013, the government of west Bengal (Department of Micro small& medium enterprises &textile) signed a partnership agreement with UNESCO, New Delhi, to develop 10 rural craft hubs in the state, covering 3000 families traditionally skilled in craft traditions like Sitalpati, Madurkathi, Terracottta, Patachitra, Dokra, Wooden Mask, Wooden Doll, Chau Mask, Clay Doll and Kantha Stitch. In December 2013, UNESCO engaged its partner Banglanatak.com to design and implement the project. The project is aimed to strengthening the creative entrepreneurship at grassroots, helping the rural artist to reach out the global market, Strengthening the lively hood of the handicraft artist and making the craft village as the cultural tourism destinations. To maximize the benefit, the department has also engaged West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries board(WBKVIB) to provide the necessary hardware support including common facility centre and equipment’s to the artist clusters as per community expectations and requirements. 51
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Dwariapur Dokra Artisan Co-operative Industrial Society Ltd. Dariyapur Dokra Artists Cooperative Industrial Society is a Cooperative setup by Dhokra craftsmen of Bardhaman with the determination to increase their access to markets and financial opportunities for their craft. In recognition of their craft, the MSME Department, Govt. of West Bengal nominated Dariyapur as a Rural Craft Hub of Bengal in 2013. 53
https://www.justdial.com/Kolkata/Biswa-Bangla-Near-Park-Hotel-Park-Street
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Market Study
http://amarkutir.com/default.aspx
Artisans sell their products mainly in different crafts mela’s in West Bengal and other states. Amar Kutir Society for Rural Development and Biswabangla also have Dokra crafts for sale for a reasonable rate. And The rest depend on largely Government orders. The Karmakars get periodic orders (usually twice a year) from Manjusha (West Bengal Emporium) - Government of West Bengal and Bangashree - Micro & Small Scale Enterprises, Government of West Bengal. Some vendors collect the products form artisans and sell them in a higher rate. Some of the e commerce sites also have Dokra for sale. 55
Acknowledgements
A journey of this documentation would not have been possible without the support and guidance of several people. I would like to thank Mr. Manu T, Course Coordinator for Craft Documentation, Kerala State Institute of Design. His guidance, encouragement and enthusiasm inspired me to delve deep into the subject and discussions with him helped us to identify the various facets of the craft that I have to explore. We would like to thank Mr.Ganga karmakar and family, Mr. Gorango Karmakar and Family , Great craftsmen of Dwariyapur for spending time with me and explaining, often in incredible detail, the history, the process of Dokra craft. I am grateful to the following people for their interviews which allowed me to understand the Dokra craft of Dwariapur from various perspectives: Mr. Jondu,and Mr.Malay Biswas from Bangla -natak, West Bengal. My Acknowledgments would remain incomplete without mentioning Mr. and Mrs. Sankar Kanti Mitra whose warm hospitality I enjoyed in Kolkata. I would like to thank Mr. Abhishek Mitra for joining me in understanding this craft and helping in the translation process. I wish to thank the people of the Dokra commu-
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nity of Dwariapur for being very open about sharing the details of their craft and lifestyle with me. And a very special thanks to my parents, family and friends supporting me.
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References 1. http://designclinicsmsme.org/download/DesignAwarenessSeminar/SantiniketanSocietyforYouthEmpowermentDokhraMetalCluster. pdf 2. http://www.craftmark.org/dariyapur-dokra-artists-cooperative-industrial-society 3. http://ruralcrafthub.com/crafts/what-is-therch-project-all-about-2/?id=28 4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal 5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purba_Bardhaman_district 6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhokra 7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardhaman_ district 8. http://banglanatak.com/