Elegant figurines, eloquent message

A TRIBAL connection to a seminar seeking to prioritise women's literacy?

Not very far-fetched considering that the connection - a collection of Dokra bell-metal figures of women reading - was meant to be a sort of welcome-to-Chennai-cum-introduction to tribal art, with the underlying message of educating women.

The International Partnership Network and The Aseema Trust came together to organise `prioritising female literacy and numeracy through partnership,' a seminar which sought common cause between public and private sector initiatives and resources.

Dokra metal craft, common in the tribal belts of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, is said to be the oldest form of metal casting.

In West Bengal, some 57 families are engaged in the craft and are scattered in districts like Bankura, Burdwan, Birbhum and Midnapur. In Andhra Pradesh, the craft is found in Chittalbori and Oshegaon in Adilabad district. Figurines, horses, drummers, elephants with ambari on their backs, lamps, peacocks, peculiar shaped spoons, mystic tribal gods...all abound in variety and skill, produced through the lost wax process.

Folklore has it that the various deities the figures invoke provide relief from disease and pestilence, natural calamities and also provide a good harvest and bountiful forest produce.

Though the very many metal figures are produced these days to propitiate the gods, each one still retains the same freshness and uniqueness in quality.

In recent years, the products of Dokra artisans are in great demand in the domestic and foreign markets because of the variety of folk motifs they encompass, the apparent simplicity and aesthetic refinement.

By R. K. Radhakrishnan

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