Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya organized a 10 day workshop on traditional tribal woodcraft and Dhokra art titled as ‘Katha-Srishti’, at Tribal Habitat open air exhibition area of Sangrahalaya. In this workshop Tribal artists from Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh are being made by our traditional crafts from wood and metal in front of audience.
On this occasion, Pramod Kumar Sharma, Programme Coordinator said that, The Tribal artist have not any formal training of this tribal arts, rather they are accepting that art by instead working with his family. At present through this workshop these artists are doing the work of saving their old traditional context by transforming traditional art into contemporary form.
A long and rich tradition of wood art has been present in Bastar. The artifacts of personal use of tribal life here as well as beautiful wooden artifacts in ritual, dance ceremony are made by skilled wood craftsmen of Muria community. There are being made our traditional crafts in front of audience, in this workshop, Sanjay Sapre (Modeling Assistant, IGRMS) added.
Traditional wood carver, Milan Korram told that, A large part of wooden art of Bastar associated with the Ghotul culture of the Muria tribe. They make more Carved doors, Mata Jhula, deceased pillars and tribal statues, combs etc.
Santu Korram told that Mata Jhula is a symbol of Opulence, prestige and splendor. In Bastar, It’s very important for Devgudi and ritual work. In this, only female deity can sit on, male deity cannot sit on it. In Bastar, Mata Jhula is done established in the courtyard of Deviguri and we check by Gunia whether Goddess or not.
Phool Singh Besra told about the Ghadhwa metal craft and said that Tribal metal-work is prepared using the lost-wax method. This is an elaborate procedure of metal-casting involving several steps and raw materials. A wax model of the desired figurine or statue is made and covered with clay. The clay hardens to create a thick shell. Molten brass is poured on this clay-covered wax model. This melts the wax, which escapes from holes made in the clay covering. The clay is then broken and a metal figurine emerges.
