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Tribals were surely the first metalsmiths of
India, and they still continue with the ancient practice. Prominent amongst the tribal
arts is the Bastar art, practiced by the tribals of the Bastar Region in Madhya Pradesh,
known the world over for their unique artifacts.
 The Bastar artists create fabulous images of folk gods and votive animals,
heavily overlain with relief design, to appease an enraged deity. Dhokra casting in Bronze
is very unique to them.
These tribal artists also create some of the most famous tribal imagery in iron
-bringing out a unique view of life, nature and the gods, through age-old processes of
metalwork. Their process is simple - it basically includes forging and hammering the
metal. Using only a few tools and a simple furnace of a handful of coals, they twist and
bend hot iron into expressive shapes.
What comes out of this hard work is some of the most delightful range of oil lamps,
tools and statues that depict birds, animals and men. Largely manufactured for
predominantly tribal clients, these artifacts have now caught the attention of the world
of arts and crafts and hence find eager buyers worldwide. |
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