Bastar Tribal Art

The Bastar region of Chhattisgarh is one of the richest areas in terms of iron ore deposits. The tribal communities, Gond and Maria started catering to the needs of the tribe by providing them tools for agriculture, jungle cutting tools, arrowheads and knives for hunting. Their skill evolved with time into a unique Craft form through experimentation with material and technique. The raw material used for the craft is predominantly recycled iron scrap. The main tools used are a furnace, hammer, forceps, tongs and chisels. The Ironsmiths started by experimenting with the religious art forms and gradually the craft evolved to the levels it is practiced today.