Adilabad Dokra, an ancient bell metal craft popular in the tribal regions of Adilabad in Telangana, and Warangal durries, which have brought much acclaim to the weaver’s community of Warangal region, have been issued Geographical Indication (GI) Registration Certificate by the GI Registry, Chennai.

The Dhokra craftsmen belong to the Woj community, called Wojaris, and also called Otaris, in Telangana State. The uniqueness of Adilabad Dokra is that no two pieces are alike in shape as well as in size and hence replicas of the antiques are nearly impossible.

The CII Technology Centre has facilitated State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited towards the registrations of Adilabad Dokra and Warangal Durries as Geographical Indications.

Hereditary craft

Since inception, the centre has facilitated in the registration of 24 products under GI out of which nine are now registered from Telangana. The craftsmen make brass objects through an ancient casting technique called cire perdue (lost wax technique in French), wherein a clay model is made as the core over which wax threads are wrapped to form a layer, bake the clay mould, allow the wax to flow out and then pour the molten metal into the mould.

Adilabad Dhokra metal casting products mainly include idols of local deities, bells, dancing figures, jewellery, statues and other decorative items. Apart from all this, the craftsmen also make figures of animals and birds, santhal jewels such as twinkly saltation bells, and measuring chitties.

More than 100 families are involved in this hereditary craft in five villages of the Adilabad district.

The main geographical factor that made Warangal famous as a durrie weaving centre is the availability of cotton.

Cotton has grown abundantly in Warangal for many decades, and the region has a major share in cotton production in Telangana.

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