History

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Dhokra Shilp

The Bell Metal Craft of Bastar

History

The bell metal craft is the oldest form of metal casting. It has been undertaken in India for over 4000 yrs. The dancing girl of Mohenjedaro is one of the earliest known lost wax artifacts. The Ghadwas are artisans who produce the bell metal crafts. Term “ghadwa” means giving shape and creating. It is still unclear whether the community originated in the jungles of Bastar or migrated from Orissa. As their culture and traditions have strikingly similarities with the tribal’s of Bastar, many do believe that their traces are from Bastar. Ironically the community is given a lower status than the tribal’s of the region.

Some believe that in the historical period, when king built his palace, he searched some craftsmen to make the idol of Danteshwari Devi. Few of the ghadwa families were invited from Orissa and then they settled in this region. These are also called as ‘Ghasis’, ‘Khaser’, ‘Mangan’ & ‘Vishwakarma’ in different regions.

The Ghadwa craftsmen used to supply the utensils of daily use to the villagers. Slowly jewelry and forms of local deities also became part of their work. With time the figures of birds, animals, decorative objects and dance poses were added to make the craft more innovative.

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