In a move to protect the originality of Bastar’s Dhokra craft, Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board is providing special identity to the Dhokra artists by giving them a mono.

After dedicating it by the State Governor on April 13, 2013, it has been adorned with practical gown. The department has also been making efforts for the registration of wrought iron and wooden arts.  “This mono will help the buyers make an informed decision. lately, a group of artists from Muradabad have been found duplicating the art. This snatches away a large share of income of the Dhokra artists,” said Chairman of Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board Major Anil Singh.

Singh said the mono will empower the Dhokra artists and help the buyers in distinguishing the original craft items from duplicates. According to the information from the department to establish the national and international identity of the originality of Bastar’s traditional crafts, the Handicrafts department recently got the Dhokra crafts registered with the Geological Survey, Chennai. Fifty seven Dhokra crafts persons have been registered as authorised users. The department aimed at providing benefits of it to about 300 craftsmen.

After the registration of Dhokra crafts, the authorised mono would be printed on the arts of Dhokra artists. With this mono only, the national and international identity of the crafts of Dhokra artists would be established. This identity will help in stopping the duplication of the original Dhokra art of Bastar and the artists would get proper value of their craft work.

like Dhokra crafts, the department has been making efforts to get registration of wrought iron and wooden crafts with the Geological Survey. Besides, a workshop will be organised for the registration of Tumba, Vale and Godan arts with the Geological Survey of India in 2014.