🛖 *Aakanksha: Paila – Forging Heritage in the Heart of Jharkhand!* NITI Aayog's *Vocal for Local* initiative, which is a component of the *Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme* , honours traditional artisans and immutable techniques, thereby preserving cultural heritage and ensuring sustainable livelihoods. From the *mineral-rich heartland of Jharkhand* , where ancient artistry meets tribal tradition, comes an enduring legacy in metal— *Dhokra Craft* 🔥✨Made using this ancient technique, presenting the *Paila* , from *Saraikela-Kharsawan* district. 🔹 With roots dating back to *Harappan civilization around 4000 BC* , Dhokra uses the *lost-wax casting technique, cire perdue* , taken up by artisans in *Hazaribagh, Dumka, Saraikela-Kharsawan and Ranchi* . 🔹 Practiced by tribal communities like the *Malhar, Birhor and Santhals,* this craft transforms *scrap brass and aluminium into intricate non-ferrous metal art,* including the signature *Paila* —a beautifully handcrafted vessel. 🔹 The process involves creating a *clay core mixed with husk* , layering it with *beeswax and termite mud* and casting it with molten metal using a funnel-like structure called *gharia* . Each piece is *unique and unreproducible* , making it a true collector’s item✨. 🔹 Once cooled and cracked open, the artwork is finished using *grinding, filing, welding and buffing* , often blending *traditional wisdom with modern tools* to meet global market demands. 🔹 This evolving craft has become a *symbol of Jharkhand’s artistic identity* , ensuring income for tribal artisans while showcasing India’s rich heritage on the international stage. ✨ *Paila from Jharkhand – A symbol of tradition, shaped by fire and tribal spirit.*