Intro to Bronze Handicrafts of India
Bronze handicrafts of India, the artisans have actively practiced the craft of bronze casting in India for centuries, dating back to ancient times. Skilled artisans use the lost wax technique to create exquisite bronze sculptures, idols, utensils, and decorative items.
What is Bronze?
The Bronze Age migrants who settled in the Indian subcontinent introduced bronze, an alloy primarily composed of copper with the addition of tin or other metals, to the region. They brought the skill of bronze casting, establishing a foundation for its practice in the area.
Origin of Bronze Handicrafts
The origin of bronze handicrafts in India traces back to ancient times, particularly during the Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1300 BCE). Also numerous bronze artifacts at sites of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro was unearthened by the archelologist.
Over time, the craft evolved and flourished, with artisans honing their techniques and creating magnificent bronze sculptures, idols, utensils, and decorative items.
The Chola dynasty in the southern region of Tamil Nadu is specially known for its significant contribution to bronze casting. Artisans from different states, like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Odisha, and West Bengal, specialized in specific types of bronze handicrafts.
Types of Bronze Handicrafts of India
Thanjavur Bronze Handicraft
Thanjavur, located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, is famous for its exquisite bronze sculptures. The artisans create intricate idols of Hindu gods and goddesses using the traditional wax-casting method.
Dhokra Craft
Dhokra, an art form originating from the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh and practiced in parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, involves the use of the lost wax technique to create bronze figurines and jewelry. This crafts skillfully depict tribal life, animals, and mythological figures, and earn renown for their rustic and tribal charm.
Pembarthi Bronze HandiCraft
Pembarthi, a village in Telangana, specializes in the art of making bronze metal crafts where the artisans create beautiful miniature replicas of chariots, animals, and decorative items.The craft gains recognition for its intricate designs and delicate detailing.
Bidriware
Bidriware is a unique form of metalwork that originated in Bidar, Karnataka. It involves the inlay of silver or gold on a blackened alloy of zinc and copper.
Kamrupi Bronze Handicraft
Kamrupi bronze craft hails from the Kamrup region of Assam. The artisans create bronze utensils and decorative items using the lost wax technique. The craft earns recognition for its distinctive designs, characterized by their incorporation of animal motifs and intricate engravings.
Today, bronze handicrafts continue to be a vibrant part of Indian art and craft traditions. Skilled artisans and craft communities preserve and practice these ancient techniques, ensuring the legacy of bronze casting remains alive and thriving in India.
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