The history of Dhokra art stretches back 4000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization. Today, that exact same lost wax casting method is kept alive by artisans like Amaram Kashyap in the Bastar region.
Here is the thing about Amaram. He does not just practice this art. He inherited it. Living in the small village of Arrakotte, he is the current keeper of a family tradition that goes back over 150 years. He learned the craft from his father as a child and has spent the last two decades mastering the fire and clay.
Let's break down his specialty. Amaram is highly respected for his miniature Dhokra sculptures. He shapes intricate figures of deer, elephants, and camels. Working with molten metal and breaking clay molds on a miniature scale requires absolute focus and steady hands.
His life is deeply tied to the rhythm of his environment. His studio sits right next to his home. During the heavy monsoon months, he actually steps away from the furnace to grow rice on his family plot.
What this really means is that Amaram's work is grounded in real life and survival. He is already planning to pass this exact knowledge to his children. When you hold one of his pieces, you are holding a Bastar legacy that is actively being protected for the next generation.
