Metalwork
The metal craft of the region has a unique rustic charm. Excelling in iron sculptures, the craftsmen of the region experiment with each and every theme traditional or imaginary. The themes include local deities, armed tribal soldiers, horses, pigs, and different bird. The products consist mainly of decorative, worship and day-to-day living accessories. The sculptures are crafted with the traditional technique of heating, hammering, twisting, and cooling of . The entire process is completed by one person, who is the artist, designer and blacksmith, all in one. With the growing demand, the artists have a more professional approach towards the size of production. Without drifting from producing the traditional objects d'art, the artists have also ventured into modern day living accessories life paper holder, napkin holder, lamps and much more.
These artifacts, known loosely as dhokra work, are predominantly hollow-cast and are produced by the lost-wax process, which has long been known to these
pre-Aryan communities. It is by the free and rapid way in which they construct a model, unlike the choosy waxwork of their counterparts to the south, that the tribal metalworkers are able to achieve their exciting castings.
The blacksmiths from southern Madhya Pradesh forge and hammer iron into a most delightful range of oil lamps, tools and statues that depict animals, birds and men. Using only a few tools and a simple furnace of a handful of coals, the smiths twist and bend the hot iron into expressive shapes. Such work now adorns many city homes and most foreigners love to carry a few pieces back to their country.
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