New Delhi: President of Bharat, Droupadi Murmu on December 9 presented the National Handicrafts Awards for the years 2023 and 2024 in New Delhi. As many as 48 handicraft artisans from across the country were honoured with National Awards, the Shilp Guru Awards and the Design Innovation Award on the occasion.
The president on the occasion honoured Hirabai Jharekha Baghel, a Dhokra (Bell Metal) artisan from Chhattisgarh with the National Handicraft Award for her unparallel mastery and unique skills.
President Murmu on the occasion remarked that initiatives like GI tag and One District One Product are playing a significant role in global recognisation of our regional handicraft products. The program was organised by the Ministry of Textiles at Vigyan Bahavan.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Handicrafts Awards for the years 2023 and 2024 in New Delhi. She highlighted that artisans, with their knowledge, dedication and hard work, have enabled Indian handicraft products to establish a distinct identity across the world.… pic.twitter.com/7r0kadJ1SL
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 9, 2025
Hailing from a small tribal populated locality of Baigindih of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district, Baghel mastered the Dhokra art after learning it from his father Bhulau Jharekha. Her husband Minketan Baghel is also a distinguished artist of the Dhokra art who was felicitated by the state government in 2006-07. Hirabai was also felicitated by the state government in the year 2011-12.
Hailing the achievement, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in a post on X said “The conferment of the National Handicrafts Award to Hirabai Baghel is a moment of immense pride for the entire Chhattisgarh.”
“Emerging from Vananchal (Forested Zone) Gram Panchayat of Baigindih, Baghel’s achievement in elevating the identity of Chhattisgarh across the country through her unique metal craft re-establishes the brilliance of our rich folk art, traditions, and rural talent on the national stage,” added CM Sai.
The bell metal craft or the Dhokra art is an ancient tribal metal craft deeply rooted in Bharat’s unique cultural fabric. The craft uses the lost-wax casting method to create exhilarating pieces for both utility and display. Over the time, traditional artisans from Bastar region has refined the technique by incorporating brass and copper in their craft. Known for its rustic beauty and intricate design, the craft is being preserved by hundreds of traditional artisans from the state.
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