Bastar craft — Gold in the forest region of Chhattisgarh

Bastar is one of the tribal districts located in the southern part of Chhattisgarh. Bastar has a huge natural forest area and only tribal region in India where 70% population are various tribal communities. The total forest area under the Bastar district is 7112 sq. km which is more than 75% of the total area of the District. Diverse Tribal communities are Gonds, Abhuj Maria, Bison Horn Maria, Bhatra, Habla, Darda Maria, etc. are part of the total population. Among all tribes, Gonds are the largest group of Tribal communities in central India. Being covered with forest area and diverse tribal communities; Bastar is famous for its distinct culture and heritage. Each tribal community has its own culture and way of living. They have developed their own dialect and differ from other communities in Language, food habits, tradition, costume and have diverse worships forms of god and goddesses too. There are also many tribals who are residing in the deep forest and are unaware of the changing world.




Bastar is home to brilliant artisans who are experts in making distinct and attractive artwork with different variety of designs and shapes. Handicrafts like Wood carving, Terracotta, Bell metal, Iron craft, Pedha and Pata sarees, etc. are famous of this region. Iron craft, Pedha and Wooden craft of Bastar have been protected under Geographical indication (GI tag) in India. These all unique handmade tribal crafts are famous around all over the world. Bastar artifacts generally reflect the rural lifestyle of the tribal community. Tribe communities of this region have been practicing this rare art from generation to generation.

Bastar Wooden Craft

Woodcraft in Bastar is a unique form of art that was mastered by local tribes. This craft is also a source of livelihood. Being rich in forest, it’s easy to get the finest wood to craft various handicraft items. Artisans use teak wood, rosewood and white wood for making this craft. Badhai communities are skilled in woodcraft work. One group of this community makes an agricultural instrument and others make decorative pillars. Other Muria tribe are expert in woodcarving skills. They make various objects from small to big like gods, goddess, musical instruments, their own culture, and wildlife by expressing their traditions and religion in the craft. This art is made by conventional tools rather than using modern excellent machines.

Bastar Tribe Home Decor Wood Craft

Wooden crafts made by artisans in this region are god figures, Wall decorative items, Wooden masks, Flower vase, Candleholders, Traditional boxes, Toys. Artisans also make home décor items like doors and wooden ceiling and other furniture.

Bastar Iron Craft

Iron craft is one of the oldest crafts in Bastar. This art is traditional and famous for its simplistic form. This craft derived from the ironsmith community who used to manufacture farming and hunting tools for the nearby communities. This craft evolved with time and experiments with innovative techniques and material. Gondi and Maria tribe communities are engaged in the iron crafting in Bastar. Over the years, this craft has evolved into the finest form and has worldwide demand.
                                     Bastar Iron craft portraying a local village dance

Artisans started an experiment with the designs and made their own religious art forms. Artisans create different varieties of products like decorated iron lamps, the statue of Buddha dev., animal figures and decoration items, etc. With exposure to the places, artisans also learned new designs and experiments in new sizes and objects. This can be seen in diverse products, animal figures with various postures and sizes and new products.

Dhokra craft

Dhokra also known as Bell Metal Handicraft is a metal casting technique using the lost-wax casting. This technique has been used in India for over 4000 years and is still used by the people. The bell metal is found in Jagdalpur, Kondagoan and Narayanpur areas of Bastar. There are two main processes of lost wax casting: solid casting and hollow casting. Solid casting does not use a clay core but instead a solid piece of wax to create the mold; hollow casting is the more traditional method and uses the clay core.

    Dhokra Couple Art

‘Ghawas’ of Bastar and ‘Jharas’ of Raigarh mainly practice this art form in Chhattisgarh. Because of simplicity, aesthetic value and enchanting folk motif, the products of Dhokra craft are in huge demand in India and the International market. One of the earliest known lost wax artifacts is the dancing girl of Mohenjo-Daro. Decorative Dhokra items like nandi, elephant, deer, bull, Ganesh Idols, peacocks, owls, candle holders, lampshades, and hangers, measuring bowls are highly appreciated.

Pata Weaving

The Pata weaving is unknown to the world. This weaving is specifically done in the tribal region of Bastar. Pankas community are weavers and agricultural laborers also known as Panika, Ponka, Manikpuri and Kabir das in the region. Pata weaving is a source of Livelihood for Pankas community.

Artisans from this community are skilled weavers and understand the emotional connection of the tribals to the forest, space of their living. Consequently, they weave the magical design and motif inspiration from nature and their daily life and culture. Artisans make textile pieces with motifs of flowers, stars, birds, animals, butterflies, peacock, turtle, temple, pot, axe, and tree motifs.

Pata Weaving

In Pata sari, the base of the sari remains white, while border and the motifs are woven with aal (madder) cotton yarn from light red to deepest maroon black color. This aal cotton yarn is made through a tedious aal extraction and dyeing’ process. For making unique patterns, artisans use simple extra weft yarn and insert it by hand to form the simple motif like the crab, axe, pot, flowers, leaves, butterflies (pilpili), birds (chidi) and trees(gacho).

In recent times, the availability of cheap screen printed Patas has created competition for these artisans. Pata sari became expensive due to lack of easily available dye as the Government banned extraction of Aal in the forest of Orissa on which they were dependent. Due to this reason, cheap mill printed Pata is taking place of traditional Pata. This may completely take away the earning of artisans and this art may become unknown to the world.

Bastar craft is unique and each craft has its own values and stories. The tribal communities are protecting this distinct art, but due to the absence of publicity, it is unknown to the world. In absence of an assured market, artisans sell their craft in the weekly haat and markets. Artisans are unable to cover their costs involved in preparing crafts. There should be an initiative for defining the requirement of artisans and encourage them to continue the traditional skill. The government is trying to promote this tribal craft through different artisan schemes and providing facilities to take part in exhibitions but still, many more efforts are to be needed to make the tribal craft sustainable and famous worldwide.