The process of Dhokra is of two types. They are solid casting and hollow casting. The Solid casting is formally done in southern part of India and the hollow casting is done in Central and Easter part of the country. The most popular technique is the hollow casting done in West Bengal and Odisha.
The steps followed in hollow casting process is given below:
- Developing a clay in the shape of the final image. The Clay is hardened by placing in the sun light or mild firing in an oven.
- The Clay is covered by a layer of wax composed of pure resin and beeswax extracted from the Damara tree.
- Wax is then sharped and also carved in finer design and decoration.
- After Sharpening the wax, it is then covered with clay taking the negative foam inside to mould the metal.
- The wax is then replaced by molten metal and left to cool.
- Now the clay mould is broken and then artifact is taken out for cleaning and polishing.
- A new artifact is created out of a scrap metal.
Chaya Mondol
Chaya Mondol is from a farmer family. She is a married women with three children. Her interest towards this Natural Fibre product has made her to learn the required skills. Now as a trainer, she gives training to many of them around her. The experience in the DOKRA products manufacturing is more than three years and now earns around 4000 rupees per month. She is also one of the main bread winners of the family.