They make metal castings by a process that is believed to have been practised from ancient times and they learnt the traditional intricacies from their fore-fathers.

[2] Provash Sen, a former director of the Regional Design Centre at Kolkata of the All India Handicrafts Board, contributed substantially to the appreciation and improvement in the status of the dhokra craftsmen.

In 1986, Haradhan Karmakar received a national award from Gyani Zail Singh, President of India, for his creation “Laksmisaj”.

In 1987, Matar Karmakar, then working at the Kolkata Design Centre, received the President’s Award and a cash reward of Rs.

[2] In a report by the Micro, Small and Medium Industries Development Institute, it says that the degree of excellence of products like, sola craft of Bankapasi and dhokra of Dwariapur is now acceptable to European markets.

However, the modern furnace has found acceptance at both Dwaraipur and Bikna, some two hours by road, in Bankura district, another place where around 36 families are involved in the dhokra craft.