Baldev Waghmare is a Bharewa and Dhokra artisan from Tigariya village in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh. He learned traditional lost-wax metal casting from his father, Shri Sukhram Waghmare, and has continued developing the craft through his own practice and work with other artisans.
From Tigariya to a Life in Craft
Baldev works with the traditional lost-wax casting process used in Dhokra metal art. His sculptures draw on people, musicians, tribal life, animals, nature and other cultural subjects, with each handmade casting carrying individual surface and finishing characteristics.
What is Bharewa craft?
Bharewa is the name used for the metal-casting tradition of the Bharewa community of Betul and nearby districts in Madhya Pradesh. Like Dhokra elsewhere in central and eastern India, it uses the lost-wax method to cast brass and bell metal. Bharewa work has long included ornaments, ritual objects, figures of deities and animals, and everyday items used by Gond and other communities in the region.
How a Bharewa or Dhokra piece is cast
- A core is shaped from clay and dried.
- Wax mixed with resin is rolled into thin threads and laid over the core to build the form and surface detail.
- The wax model is covered in layers of clay to make a mould, leaving a small opening.
- The mould is heated so the wax melts and runs out.
- Molten brass is poured into the empty space.
- Once cool, the mould is broken open and the piece is cleaned and finished by hand.
Because each mould is broken to release the casting, no two pieces are exactly alike. Read more in our guide to Dhokra metal art.
Documented Awards & Recognition
Treasure Of India documents the following recognition associated with Baldev Waghmare: National Kalidas Academy Award (2021), State Vishwakarma Awards (2011 and 2021), and Best Artisan Award (2016). Award details should be understood alongside the supporting documentation maintained by Treasure Of India.
Teaching and passing on the craft
Many Bharewa artisans, including Baldev, work in family and village workshops where younger members learn by assisting at each stage. Artisan Sangeeta Uike of Betul trained with Bharewa master craftsmen, a sign of how the knowledge travels within the region.
Explore Baldev Waghmare's Art
Explore available works on his artist collection and review each product page for the individual sculpture, dimensions, material and purchase information. His work is also shown at our gallery in Palam Vihar, Gurugram, which opened in October 2026. Book a visit.
What You Will Find in His Collection
The collection currently lists 36 Dhokra works. They fall into a few clear groups:
- Tribal life: couples known as Madia Madin, musicians, dancers, and scenes of daily work such as winnowing grain, cleaning paddy and grinding at a stone hand-mill.
- Elephants: single elephants with the trunk up or down, elephants with riders, and three-trunk Airavata figures. Our guide to elephant meaning in Indian art explains the trunk positions.
- Deities: Ganesha, Nandi and Nataraj statues. See also god statues for home.
- Lamps and objects: oil lamps and boat forms with peacock and elephant details.
Price of Baldev Waghmare's Dhokra Works
Works in the collection currently range from ₹1,190 to ₹49,990. Small figures start at ₹1,190 and ₹3,690. Many mid-size pieces, such as elephants, Nandi and Ganesha statues, sit between ₹5,990 and ₹9,990. Larger and more detailed sculptures run from ₹11,900 to ₹35,990, and the Airavata Three-Trunk Elephant is currently ₹49,990. The site converts ₹ prices to your local currency.
Price follows the size of the piece, the amount of metal, the detail of the wax thread work and whether it is a single figure or a set.
How to Spot Hand-Cast Dhokra
- Thread texture: the surface shows fine coiled or ribbed lines left by the wax threads.
- No mould seam: a lost-wax casting has no straight seam line running down the sides. Factory castings from reusable moulds often do.
- Small differences: two figures in a set will not match exactly in face, height or pattern.
- Weight: brass feels heavy for its size. Resin copies are light and warm to the touch.
- Named maker: every artwork from Treasure of India ships with a signed certificate of authenticity naming the artisan.
Buying from abroad? Use the "Request a video call" button on any product page to see the piece live on WhatsApp before you order.
Caring for Dhokra Metal Art
Dust the piece with a soft, dry cloth or a soft brush to reach the grooves. Brass darkens slowly with age, and many collectors like this patina. To brighten it, rub gently with a little lemon juice or a brass polish, wipe clean and dry it fully. Do not soak it, and keep it away from damp shelves and bathroom steam.
Worldwide Shipping
We ship worldwide from our gallery in Palam Vihar, Gurugram, India, including to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, the UAE and Europe. Orders usually arrive in 2 to 3 weeks; made-to-order pieces need 2 to 4 weeks of crafting first. International shipping is a flat ₹4,000 per order. Within India, delivery is free on orders of ₹2,999 and above and ₹199 below that. Customs duties and import taxes are paid by the buyer; see international shipping, customs and duties. We do not accept returns, except for a piece that arrives damaged; see our returns and refunds policy.
Why Artist Context Matters
Knowing who made a handmade artwork adds context to the object itself. Treasure Of India aims to make traditional and lesser-known Indian artists easier to discover while keeping documented craft and recognition information connected to the artworks.
Explore Master Artisans of India or discover more regional traditions through the Craft Map of India.
For more, read about NAVRATNA and its nine indigenous master artisans, browse the full Dhokra metal art collection, or see more art from Madhya Pradesh. View Baldev Waghmare's collection.
FAQs
Who is Baldev Waghmare?
A Bharewa and Dhokra metal artisan from Tigariya village, Betul district, Madhya Pradesh, who learned lost-wax casting from his father, Sukhram Waghmare.
What is the difference between Bharewa and Dhokra?
Both use lost-wax casting. Bharewa refers to the tradition of the Bharewa community in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, while Dhokra is the wider name for the craft across central and eastern India.
Where can I buy Baldev Waghmare's work?
On his Treasure of India collection or at our gallery in Gurugram.
What do Baldev Waghmare's Dhokra works cost?
Works in his collection currently range from ₹1,190 to ₹49,990, depending on size, detail and whether the piece is a set.
Do you ship Dhokra sculptures outside India?
Yes. We ship worldwide for a flat ₹4,000 per order. Delivery usually takes 2 to 3 weeks, and customs duties are paid by the buyer.
