Dokra/Dhokra Art: The Traditional Process of Heating Molds in a Furnace to Extract Wax

24-Mar-2026

This photo depicts an important process in the traditional Dokra/Dhokra art of Jharkhand. In it, artisans from the Tharu tribe are heating clay molds in a traditionally built furnace. The purpose of this process is to melt the wax layer present inside the mold. When the wax melts and flows out, it is collected in a vessel so that it can be reused. After this, the molds are heated further, and molten metal is poured into them. The metal takes the exact shape inside the mold, creating traditional metal objects of Dokra/Dhokra art. This process reflects the skill, patience, and traditional knowledge of the artisans.