Dhokra Brassworks: A Brief History
4,500 years ago, a metal sculptor in Mohenjadaro created a masterpiece. The discovery of that masterpiece proved that a flourishing civilization once existed in the basin of the Indus Valley River. If that craftsman were to visit the eastern coast of India, he’d find himself right at home, knowing that there is someone who keeps his art form alive.
Inspired by ancient craftsmen, the Dhokra metal-casting process uses the same lost wax techniques that metal sculptors in the Indus Valley Civilization used to create exquisite, bronze sculptures and figurines. A technique, also used in ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and China, this fabled and extremely demanding art form has today come to be synonymous with the nomadic Dhokra tribe who are settled all over the modern regions of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Collectors and art connoisseurs from all across the globe covet Dhokra products, not only because of the intrinsic starkness and vitality of the art form, but also because of the layers of tradition and historical influences that are still visible in the products created by these skilled craftsmen.
The Dhokra craft is one, which has been passed down from generation to generation. Sculptors and master artisans have painstakingly taught subsequent generations the trade secrets and mysteries of the craft through imitation, as well as instruction to ensure that the craft form still remains alive. Unlike other traditional artists, the Dhokra people also believe in gender equality; both men and women are taught the art and work together to create exquisite and high quality works of art.
In addition to the high level of skill on display in these products, the Dhokra art form is also characterized by the innovation and evolution of the craftsman, showcasing the newer influences and highlighting the perfect union between a traditional art form and modern muses and inspirations. While Dhokra artisans continually create ornate and intricate carvings of Gods and other revered figures from mythology, they have now also moved on to creating smaller, lighter works of art which still carry all the trademarks of the lost wax casing technique while making it affordable to an entirely new generation of art lovers and buyers across the world.
On artisanscrest.com, you get a chance to explore our collection of intricate and exquisite Dhokra Brasswork products, straight from the homes and furnaces of the master craftsmen and practitioners of the art; you get a chance to own the physical embodiment of the vision of the uniquely creative artisan and also the fruit of not just one person’s hard work, but of all the generations that came before them and sacrificed to keep the craft alive. You get a chance to own a little piece of history and contribute towards keeping another ancient craft still alive, one piece at a time.
The Artisanscrest network includes a vast community of expert artisans, master craftsmen and visionaries who work in close collaboration with our art curators and connoisseurs to create exquisite works of art for the sole purpose of adorning the homes of our customers from across the globe. Each piece of Dhokra Brassworks is created exclusively by the artisans of the Dhokra tribe based on your choice and specific needs so that you can own a piece of tradition made especially for you.
All About Pipli Art
If you head out a few kilometres from Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Odisha, you will reach a village where all the houses and shops along the boast of beautiful and colourful embroidery work, either finished or in progress. Welcome to the village of Pipli, in the district of Puri. Pipli art has gained fame worldwide owing to its bright colours, exquisite embroidery patterns and intricate weaving representing aspects of life in an Indian village.
The Pipli art form emerged as a temple art in the 11th century, under the patronage of kings and nobility. Now used to create a large number of ceremonial and decorative products, the handicrafts are unparalleled in flexibility and versatility, permitting experimentation and encouraging innovation. A community of professional tailors, colloquially known as ‘Darjis’, traditionally practices the craft. They consider the craft as a service or ‘seva’ for the Lord of the temple.
The classically trained and skilled artisans create the art in an intricate technique known as ‘Applique’. Originating from the French word, ‘appliquer’, meaning ‘to put on’, one piece of fabric is placed over a base layer and is sewn in place. The skilled artisans express their creativity in combining different coloured pieces of cloth in order to create bright and vibrant designs, perfect for umbrellas, tents, lamp shades among others. Flat motifs are first cut from cloth and then superposed on the base cloth in a predetermined layout and sequence. The edges of the motifs are turned in and skillfully stitched onto the base cloth or stitched by embroidery or without turning as necessary. Craftsmen use various techniques including straight stitch, blind stitch, satin stitch or buttonhole stitch for attaching the pieces of cloth. They also make use of decorative stitches and mirror work for more elaborate pieces.
A key characteristic of the Pipli art style involves three-dimensional patterns, made by the folding of the upper piece of cloth into triangles and attaching them to the base.
Artisanscrest brings the vibrant and colourful designs straight from the town of Pipli into the homes of art lovers everywhere. With intricate work and delicate embroidery serving as a testimony to the skills and abilities of the master craftsmen of Pipli, Artisanscrest offers you the chance to buy into a little piece of history and the chance to ensure that this beautiful craft carries on for at least one more generation.
The Artisanscrest network includes a vast community of expert artisans, master craftsmen and visionaries who work in close collaboration with our art curators and connoisseurs to create exquisite works of art for the sole purpose of adorning the homes of our customers from across the globe. Each piece of Pipli Art is created exclusively by the artisans from the town of Pipli based on your choice and specific needs so that you can own a piece of tradition made especially for you.
Rediscover the past
India has had a unique love affair with art. From Viswakarma, the legendary celestial architect to modern day visionaries, artists and artisans have enjoyed a near mythical status. During the Golden Age of Indian culture, kings like Chandragupta and Samudra Gupta actively encouraged art and several art forms were born as a result of their patronage. The grateful artists and artisans then paid tribute to these kings by creating exquisite works of art, immortalizing them and the life of the kingdom during their rule. As their kingdoms spread, so too did their patronage. Thus, several traditional art forms were born or experienced a rebirth during this era.
For the traditional artisans of India, their art is not just a means of eking out a livelihood; they see their intricate skills as a gift from the Gods. Thus, they have devoted their lives to creating exquisite works of art, passing down the skills over generations, ensuring that the craft does not die out. However, they struggle to bring the craft into the consciousness of the larger, global audience. That is where we come in.
United by the desire to bring the various art forms of ancient India out of the villages and into the homes of art lovers and connoisseurs across the world, Artisanscrest was formed to ensure that the efforts of the ancient craftsmen in keeping their craft alive were not in vain. Their infectious passion and their single minded zeal inspired us and drove us to create an exclusive showcase, dedicated to showcasing their intricate skills, their exquisite abilities and their magnificent works of art.
Our dedicated team of art historians and curators travels across the length and breadth of India, seeking to add expert exponents of traditional art forms into our team. These dedicated artisans then work to create exquisite and magnificent works of art exclusively for the customers of Artisanscrest. Our range of products are varied and include exquisite sculptures, skilled metalworks, beautiful paintings and portraits and other hand crafted products which are a throwback to India’s glorious, cultural past.
Each product in our catalogue is treated as an individual project; a little part of India’s rich and opulent artistic tradition created exclusively for you. These beautiful works of art come in various shapes and sizes, perfect for various rooms in your house. Each piece has it’s own story, its own tradition and has its own place in the great Indian artistic tradition.
When you shop on www.artisanscrest.com, you can either own a piece as is depicted on our website or you could place a note to customize your purchase with the detailing and dimensions of your choice. Our dedicated team of artisans and art curators will then work with you to create a customized, hand made work of art. Our team of expert artists are also at hand to create magnificent and grand fountains, intricately designed wall murals, grand temples and other large projects while sticking true to the core essence of traditional crafts and themes straight from the epics of Hindu mythology.
When you buy a product from Artisanscrest, you buy a little piece of India’s glorious, classical past. You buy a product which is a throwback to the regal and magnificent days of the kings of old; your purchase allows the preservation of a craft which has endured from ancient times.
Artisanscrest allows you to relive the magnificence, the grandeur and the luxury. Artisanscrest allows you to rediscover India, one art form at a time.
Pattachitra Paintings: From Raghurajpur to the World
Situated among groves of coconut, palm, mango and jackfruit, the heritage crafts village of Raghurajpur in the Puri district of the Indian state of Odisha is famed for several crafts including Tussar silk painting, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, exquisitely handmade wooden and papier mache toys and masks. Globally, Raghurajpur is famous for being the birthplace of one of the most unique and exquisite art forms: the Pattachitra Painting.
A product of the skilled Chitrakar community of Odisha, Pattachitra comes from the Sanskrit words, “Patta” meaning “Cloth” and “Chitra” meaning “Painting”, the traditional art form of Odisha dates back to around the 5th Century BC and has its origins and inspirations deep in Hindu mythology and religious tradition. Created on a canvas of Tussar silk, specifically prepared with a chalk and gum mixture, the painting is characterized by its rich imagery, bright and natural colours and attention to detail in the trademark borders and designs.
While the most famous examples of Pattachitra paintings can be found in the massive, intricate and painstakingly created murals of the temples of Puri, the craft itself traces its origins further back to ancient times. Each Pattachitra painting is a tribute to the Gods in various forms or to the harmony between man and nature, something which has inspired rural artisans across generations.
A disciplined art form with a fixed set of rules and traditions, the Pattachitra masters have created several masterpieces hailing the life and times of Lord Jagannath, Lord Krishna at various stages in his life, the different forms of Ganesha as well as capturing and immortalizing the rich cultural heritage and traditions of their village over time. The intriguing art forms are known to art lovers and connoisseurs across the globe and strong efforts, including setting up centres to teach the art to others, are in place to ensure that the legacy and the history of the art endures and continues to enjoy a pride of place among art lovers everywhere.
On artisanscrest.com, you get a chance to explore our collection of intricate and exquisite Pattachitra paintings, straight from the easels and looms of the Chitrakars of Raghurajpur; you get a chance to own the physical embodiment of the vision of the uniquely creative artisan and also the fruit of not just one person’s hard work, but of all the generations that came before them and sacrificed to keep the craft alive. You get a chance to own a little piece of history and contribute towards keeping another ancient craft still alive, one piece at a time.
The Artisanscrest network includes a vast community of expert artisans, master craftsmen and visionaries who work in close collaboration with our art curators and connoisseurs to create exquisite works of art for the sole purpose of adorning the homes of our customers from across the globe. Each Pattachitra painting is created exclusively by the artisans from the town of Raghurajpur based on your choice and specific needs so that you can own a piece of tradition made especially for you.
Pranab Naryan Das
The story of Pranab Naryan Das is of grit and determination. Coming from a family of farmers, art was never his calling but Pranab’s rise as a young artist has been inspiring and praise-worthy. From a very young age Pranab was fascinated by the traditional Pattachitra art-form and was trained by his Guru late Shri Arjun Moharana who was a national award winner.With more than 2 decades of painting experience, Pranab not only captures his imagination on Palm leaves that are used for traditional Pattachitra paintings but applies the technique on Tussar silk as well. Since 1992, Pranab has been an active member at Paramparik Karigar, an association of craftsmen in Mumbai. Over the years Pranab has been participating in art exhibitions across the country and winning accolades for his stunning pieces of work. The American National History Museum, New York exhibited Pranab’s work in 2007 which were highly appreciated by art connoisseurs and followers. Many museums in the United States treasure artworks created by Pranab.
Team ArtisansCrest is honored to have Pranab Das as one of the leading artisans in its team.
Rabi Sahoo
Mr.Rabi Sahoo is a master craftsman in stone based carving. From a very young age, he was initiated to this art form by his father, guide and guru Mr. Sudarshan Sahoo, a Padma Vibhusan awardee for his contribution to stone sculpture works in the country. Since the past 31 years, Mr. Rabi Sahoo has been diligently working to hone his skills and creating marvels across different parts of the country.
From murals of Buddha stories in a pagoda in Darjeeling to conceptualizing and creating the theme of 24 Tirthankar in Swetambar style to designing a 101ft stone mural on the life and times of Lord Buddha to being a designer and consultant for Swarovski AG, Austria, Mr. Rabi Sahoo has done it all and still continues to create master pieces that seem impossible for any average sculptor.
Team Artisans Crest feels honored to have been closely associated with Mr. Rabi Sahoo and have him as a guide and a guru.