Chhattisgarh is home to many tribes. In fact, the state has India’s oldest tribal communities, and it is safe to assume that the earliest tribals have been living in Bastar for over 10,000 years, since the time the Aryans occupied the Indian mainland and the rich plains.
Bastar and Raigarh districts of Chhatisgarh are popular for crafting bell metal handicrafts using brass and bronze. Tribes such as Ghadwas of Bastar and Jharas of Raigarh mainly practice this art form called Dokra. This is done with lost wax technique or hollow casting Dokra metal is perhaps the only living tradition of metal image making in eastern India. The technique has managed to survive many centuries and the change of dynasties owing to its modesty of application in everyday lives of traditional lives of traditional tribal people of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The artifacts prepared from dokra technique use the Cow dung, paddy husk and the red soil in the preparation, beeswax being the most important one. Apart from contouring wax wires are also used for decoration purposes and for giving a finishing touch to artifacts.
The ironsmiths or lohars of Kondagaon village in Bastar have been engaged in iron craft for generations together .The iron objects are made by hammering them into shape; they are not cast or molded. The hot iron is beaten repeatedly to the desired shape while the
Over the years wood has been used for carving objects and other forms of carpentry. A tribe called Badhais is skilled in this craft. Traditional wood carving in Chhattisgarh is an ancient craft, the skills of which are passed 14 from generation to generation. The craftsmen are rich in experience and make products such as fixtures of houses, pillars, bows and arrows.
This art represents rituals and customs of tribal life in the state and symbolizes their emotions. Votive terracotta figures are found widely in the districts of Bastar, Sarguja. This is the oldest form of art dating back to 7000Bc as the remains of this craft can be traced to Neolithic period.
This is specific of Bastar region , where hollow gourd shells as containers are used by the tribals to store water and salfi.This art form is unique as different lamp shades and exquisite hanging have found expression in this art form Bamboo The well known craftsmen Kamars of Raipur use bamboo in the construction of houses and fences as well as for making bows and arrows ,hunting tools, fish and bird traps. Narayanpur district is acclaimed to have state of the art machinery and artisans working in bamboo under National Bamboo Mission.
Traditional wall painting of the state is associated with rituals .Floors and walls are painted with colours and in almost every instance the depiction being associated with some ritual. These painting originated in the tribal area of the central India which is presently in Madhya Pradesh, Paintings are occasion based and done during child birth, marriages etc.
For the tribals of this place, tattoo lauds for social importance and is done all over the body .This is done at early age of seven and done till the time of marriage. Tatoo are considered as social security codes which remain with women at the time of death when all the ornaments are removed.
Simple yet maverick the jewellery symbolizes a way of life among these rural folks. Intricately made of beads (bones, seeds, woods) worn as laces, ropes, fillets and collars. Jewellery in Chhattisgarh is crafted in gold , silver ,bronze and mixed metal. Tribal men and women both wear these customary ornaments .Iron, brass and copper wires are worn into armlets, gold is mainly worn in the ear, nose and neck too. Silver worn on the neck as a hoop on the legs as a square-bar anklet. These ornaments can be purchased from local hats or bazaars across Bastar area. The costumes are a display of vibrant colors mainly in linen, silk and cotton fabrics .The technique of fabric making is essentially from Madhya Pradesh 16 which mainly comprises of batik, tie-dye etc. the costumes worn here are like other parts of India, use of color is however central to their attire. Thus the social customs and ways of life of the people of the state speaks volumes of its priceless tradition and moorings revelation to its maverick history and illustrious heritage ,This can be the real USP for the state if marketed and branded as a invaluable souvenir of Indian Civilization.
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