If she had not married Phool Singh, Tilo Besra might not have been a sculptor.Phool Singh's family in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh had inherited a tradition of sculpting cast metal figures known as ‘Dhokra' (meaning ‘the oldest').It involves ‘ cire perdue' (from the Latin cera perduta) or lost-wax casting.
“My husband taught me lost-wax casting and introduced me to the world of sculptures. Had I not met him, I would have been a worker in a government office or a gram sevika. Members of all tribal families in our hamlet are expert sculptors,” she said.
They fashion figures of tribal deities, horse riders, elephants, musicians, monkeys, owls and birds out of brass. In the lost wax technique, a mould is created for each piece using clay and beeswax. Brass figures are then cast. The technique dates back to the Indus Valley Maharashtra and Karnataka.
“Each clay mould can be used only once. The work calls for great precision. The slightest mistake while breaking the mould can destroy the piece. I take four or five days to create a single piece,” Ms. Besra said.
Experts say that a few metal objects found in Mohenjadaro and Harappa resemble Dhokra figures.
“Almost all the ancient brass Dhokra pieces have been lost or destroyed, often melted down to make utensils. The pieces available today are contemporary or at the most 50 to 70 years old,” writes folk art expert K.C. Aryan, in his book, ‘Indian Folk Bronzes'.
The prices of sculptures on show range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 7,000. The exhibition will conclude on November 16.
courtesy : The Hindu
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