On December 9, President Droupadi Murmu presented Baldev Waghmare—an esteemed Bharewa metal artist from Betul district in Madhya Pradesh—with the “National Handicraft Award” during a ceremony held in New Delhi. The honor underscores the country’s growing appreciation for the traditional Bharewa craft, a tribal art that has just earned a Geographical Indication tag.
In the local tongue, “Bharewa” translates to “those who fill,” a nod to the artisans’ role in filling and shaping metal. These craftsmen belong to a Gond sub‑tribe that spans much of central India, and their skill in casting is carefully transmitted from one generation to the next.
The Bharewa metalworks are inseparable from Gond customs and rituals, producing pieces that are both spiritually significant and beautifully crafted. Their repertoire includes figurines of deities—most notably Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati—as well as functional and ceremonial items such as rings, daggers, wristbands, armlets, bull‑carts, peacock lamps, bells, anklets, and mirror frames that have attracted global interest.
Most Bharewa artists reside in pockets of the Betul district, roughly 180 km from the state capital Bhopal. Baldev’s dedication has helped reverse a decline in the number of active Bharewa artisans, turning Tigriya village into a thriving “Craft Village” where families continue to practice this unique heritage.
With a deep understanding of Gond religious practices, the Bharewa community creates idols of various deities, including the protective Thakur Dev—who is said to ride a miraculous horse—alongside figures symbolizing peace, prosperity, happiness, and health. Baldev inherited his craft from his father and has since earned recognition as a master smith. His family’s livelihood depends on preserving this traditional knowledge, artistic vision, and the painstaking skill sheathed in their hands.
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