Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
Introduction
The Gadiya Lohars are a community of itinerant blacksmiths of North India. They trace their origins to Rajasthan, and can be easily recognised by their decorated carts (gadis) that serve as both their home and a mode of transport. Many Gadiya Lohars have now switched to a more settled life. The village of Pachewar, in Tonk district of Rajasthan, has 16-17 blacksmith families, who reside there permanently.
The Gadiya Lohars believe that their forefathers were blacksmiths, who made weapons for the Rajput rulers of Rajasthan in the 16th century. When their ruler, Maharana Pratap, was being persecuted by the Mughals, the Gadiya Lohars were forced to flee, swearing to settle from their nomadic life only when their ruler was reinstated. However, even though Pratap was never defeated by the Mughals, he could not re-establish his rule. The Gadiya Lohar continued their nomadic existence, using their carts as their mobile homes, as they moved across north India.
In independent India, the government encouraged them to settle. However, even now, the community is visible in both, rural and urban areas, leading a semi-settled life. With the advance in technology and availability of many competing materials, their traditional occupation is often not sustainable and many craftsmen have taken to alternative work.
Metal Craft: Artisan family with their cart (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Metal craftsperson Hanuman’s mother (middle), though no longer moving around with her cart, continues to live in the Gadiya Lohar way - with her belongings in the cart.
Metal Craft: Metal artisan with her cart (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Even today, she prefers to sleep in her gadi.
Metal Craft: Handcrafted metal insect (Contemporary) by HanumanDastkari Haat Samiti
Metal artisan Hanuman discovered that his metal insects opened the door to a new market.
Metal Craft: Handcrafted metal insects (Contemporary) by HanumanDastkari Haat Samiti
He makes the traditional iron ware to sell in the villages, while creating metal insects for the city folk.
Metal Craft: Handcrafted metal insects (Contemporary) by Hazari LalDastkari Haat Samiti
The metal insects are popular items at craft bazaars and city boutiques.
Metal Craft: An artisan's new home (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
This has enabled Hanuman to enhance his earnings, and develop savings, putting away enough to buy some land to construct a house.
Metal Craft: An artisan's new home (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
His house is two-storied and each time there he manages to save enough, he adds another room, or makes an improvement, like plastering a wall.
Metal Craft: Metal artisans at work (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
All, except the youngest of his four children, have decided to stay on in the metal craft, as they see a future in it.
His youngest, a daughter, has other dreams, and is currently in high school. She is already more educated than any other girl in her community, and her parents would like her to continue with her education for however long she wishes to.
Metal Craft: Inside an artisan's home (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
In the house of Hazari Lal, another metal artisan making similar products, is a computer his two sons use.
Like Hanuman, Hazari Lal too is not literate, but he sees education as the road to a more settled future for his sons.
Metal Craft: Metal artisans at work (2017-08)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Read more about metal artisans from Rajasthan here:
- Miniature Metal Craft
- Original Craft of Ironsmiths
Text: Aloka Hiremath, Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Suleiman Merchant and Charu Verma
Artisans: Hanuman Lohar and Hazari Lal
Ground Facilitator: Charu Verma and Aloka Hiremath
Curation: Ruchira Verma
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