Read: Kalakritiyon ka Bharat (Aipan and Dhokra)

Class 6 English · Chapter 13: Hamara Bharat—Incredible India! · NCERT Poorvi section pp. 131–134

Learn

Before you read: the unit opens with a short passage about Hamara Bharat: a land known for its wise and brave people, its rivers, lakes, mountains and forests, and many cultures living together in unison: unity in diversity. Which art, dance, food or festival of your state would you show a visitor?

The setting (in our words): in an Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat video session, children from different states introduce a folk art from home. First, Aakansha from Uttarakhand presents Aipan: walls and floors are coloured brick-red with geru (red earth), then designs are drawn with a white paste of rice flour. The women of the family usually make it, and the patterns, drawn from traditions and nature, are surprisingly mathematical.

Dhokra (Odisha): next, Priyaranjan presents Dhokra, a metal craft about 4000 years old that uses the lost-wax method. A clay figure is made, covered with wax, and the details are carved in the wax. Another layer of clay covers it. When it is heated, the wax melts and runs out through small holes, leaving a hollow. Molten brass (often from scrap) is poured in; once it cools, the outer clay is broken off to reveal the metal figure.

Explore: the lost-wax method.

1. Put the Dhokra steps in order.

Remember

• Aipan (Uttarakhand): white rice-paste designs on geru-red walls and floors.
• Dhokra (Odisha): a 4000-year-old lost-wax brass craft.

Quick check

What is drawn with white rice-flour paste on brick-red walls?

1. Aipan
2. Dhokra
3. Kondapalli toys
4. Coconut shell craft

Think about it

Why do you think the Dhokra method is called "lost-wax"?

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.