Vedanta Revives traditional ‘Dhokra’ artform

New Delhi, Apr 15: Vedanta, India’s largest producer of aluminium and its value-added products,is reviving traditional artforms like Dhokra, mural and tribal paintings in the regions where it operates. On 15th April 2021, i.e., World Art Day, Vedanta launched advanced product design training for artisans of Dhokra, a beautiful metalworking artform with origins dating back to the Indus Valley civilization,in Lanjigarh, Odisha. The company also organised an exhibition and competition of tribal arts for local artists to encourage adoption of arts & crafts as a means of sustainable livelihood in the region.
Mr. Ajay Kapur, CEO – Aluminium & Power Business and Managing Director – Commercial at Vedanta Ltd., says, “These art forms are a cultural heritage of our nation. We strive to patronize these indigenous art forms and nurturethe creative potential of the rural artisans which remains unexplored with the mainstream world. Vedanta strives to enable communities in, around and far beyond the areas where it operates, to become empowered and self-reliant participants in the economic progress of the country. Our endeavours have brought not just recognition for the Dhokra artisans of Kankeri but also created a new market for them, resulting in more business and increased household income.Even today, we continue to upskill these naturally gifted artisans and help them get the recognition they deserve at national and international platforms.”
The village of Kankeri, nestled deep within the forests of Kalahandi district in Odisha, is home to artisans skilled in the ancient metalworking art form of Dhokra, which has been a part of India’s rich handicraft repertoire for nearly 4000 years. This skill that has been handed down to them for generations, was limited to makingrudimentary trinkets for their own use and for selling in the nearby village markets, which was not enough to make their ends meet.