Reviving
Tradition: Indranil Banerjee's Creation of the Dokra Kali Mata Idol and the
Mission to Save an Ancient Art Form
Dokra, an ancient tribal art form, has long been celebrated for its intricate craftsmanship, rich aesthetics, and timeless creative designs. Its roots trace back over 4,000 years, with the “Dancing Girl of Mohenjodaro” being one of the most iconic and earliest examples of this art. However, despite its historical and artistic significance, Dokra faces the looming threat of extinction in today’s fast-paced world. In 2017, Indranil Banerjee embarked on a personal mission to create something meaningful and contribute to preserving this endangered art form. This is the story of how Banerjee brought the Dokra Kali Mata idol to life, intertwining artistic vision, cultural heritage, and the expertise of traditional artisans.
A Vision in a Dream: The Beginning of Indranil Banerjee’s Journey
Indranil Banerjee’s journey of creating the Dokra Kali Mata idol began with a vivid dream that felt like a divine calling. In 2017, Kali, the fierce yet compassionate goddess, appeared to him in a dream, symbolizing strength and protection. Her presence urged Banerjee to give form to her image. This vision left a lasting impression, inspiring him to translate the dream into a tangible design by sketching Kali on paper.
Motivated by this spiritual experience, Banerjee set out to bring the idol to life using the ancient Dokra technique. His search led him to Bikna village in Bankura, West Bengal, where Dokra artisans still practice this age-old craft, striving to keep it alive. It was here that Banerjee met Gopen Karmakar and his team—skilled Dokra craftsmen who, like their ancestors, mastered metal casting through generations of knowledge passed down.
The Ancient Art of Dokra: An Overview
Dokra art, rooted in the Dhokra Damar tribes of West Bengal and Odisha, is one of humanity’s oldest forms of metal casting. It involves a highly labor-intensive process that requires immense skill and precision. At the heart of this process is the ‘lost wax casting’ technique, or cire perdue, which has been used for thousands of years. This method involves creating a wax model of the desired object, encasing it in clay layers to form a mold, and then heating the mold to melt away the wax, leaving behind a cavity filled with molten metal.
The earliest examples of Dokra, such as the “Dancing Girl” of Mohenjodaro, date back to the Indus Valley Civilization, highlighting its deep historical significance. Despite remaining largely unchanged for millennia, this art form has come under threat in modern times due to declining demand and the rise of mass-produced alternatives.
Bringing the Vision to Life: Indranil Banerjee’s Dokra Kali Mata Idol
With his sketch of Kali, Banerjee collaborated with Gopen Karmakar and his team to transform the vision into a physical creation. This collaboration blended Banerjee’s modern artistic vision with the traditional Dokra technique, producing an aesthetically beautiful and spiritually significant idol.
The Lost Wax Casting Process:
Creating the Wax Model:
The first step involved crafting a detailed wax model of the Kali idol based on Banerjee’s sketch. Every feature and symbol associated with Kali had to be intricately designed, as this model would serve as the template for the final metal sculpture.
Coating with Clay:
Once the wax model was ready, it was carefully encased in layers of fine clay. The mold had to be strong enough to withstand the casting process while capturing every intricate detail of the wax model.
Melting the Wax:
The clay mold was heated to melt away the wax inside, leaving a hollow cavity in the shape of the idol. This step was crucial, as the precision with which the wax was removed determined the final quality of the sculpture.
Pouring the Molten Metal:
After the wax had melted, the clay mold’s empty space was filled with molten brass or bronze. The metal was then left to cool and solidify, assuming the form of the original wax model.
Breaking the Mold:
Once the metal had cooled, the clay mold was broken to reveal the raw metal idol inside. At this stage, the idol was unpolished, awaiting the finishing touches that would enhance its beauty and spiritual resonance.
Finishing and Detailing:
The final step involved meticulously polishing the idol and adding delicate details by hand. These finishing touches completed the transformation from a simple metal casting into a sacred object of devotion.
A Unique Blend of Faith and Art
The Dokra Kali Mata idol that emerged from this collaborative process was more than just a work of art—it became a powerful symbol of devotion, cultural heritage, and artistic perseverance. The combination of Indranil Banerjee’s personal connection to the vision of Kali and the ancient Dokra technique resulted in an idol that stands as a testament to both faith and craftsmanship. This creation represents a harmonious convergence of modern inspiration and ancient tradition, breathing new life into a centuries-old art form.
The completed Dokra Kali Mata idol remains unparalleled in its significance. It embodies the faith and beliefs of thousands of devotees who worship Kali, making it an artistic creation and a spiritual offering. The idol symbolizes the fulfillment of a divine vision and an artistic mission.
A Mission to Preserve Dokra
This journey was about creating an idol and preserving the endangered art form of Dokra itself. In a world increasingly dominated by modern influences and machine-made products, efforts like this one are essential to keeping traditional crafts alive. By working with artisans like Gopen Karmakar and his team, Banerjee played a crucial role in raising awareness about the cultural and historical importance of Dokra.
As the art form faces the threat of extinction, each new Dokra creation becomes vital to its survival. The Dokra Kali Mata idol stands as a beacon of hope for future generations, embodying the resilience of traditional art forms and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
Conclusion: A Timeless Creation
Creating the Dokra Kali Mata idol in 2017 was more than an artistic endeavor—it was a spiritual calling, cultural preservation, and artistic expression journey. What began as a dream transformed into a mission to save an ancient art form from fading into obscurity. Through the time-honored process of ‘lost wax casting,’ Indranil Banerjee, in collaboration with traditional Dokra artisans, brought forth a masterpiece that serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our artistic legacy.
In a rapidly changing world, the Dokra Kali Mata idol symbolizes the power of art to connect us to our past while guiding us toward the future. Through this creation, Dokra’s legacy continues to inspire and fulfill the hopes and beliefs of many, just as Kali’s vision inspired Banerjee in that unforgettable dream.