Traditionally the Gadwas, Gonds and Dhurwas tribes of Chhattisgarh practice the Dokra art with lost wax technique or hollow casting. It involves patterning a clay core intricately with wax ribbons and then coating it carefully with a mix of clay and hay. The wax is subsequently melted off, and the cavity formed is filled with molten metal - an alloy of copper and tin. When this solidifies, the craftsman reveals the beauty of his creation by cautiously breaking open the outer clay shell.

As the legacy of ancient Chhattisgarh goes, Todi was a musical instrument designed and developed by the artisans belonging to Gadwa tribe of Chhattisgarh, made in big sizes and used by the infantry of the tribal kings of Bastar to declare the battle and also to motivate their army. Later, it developed into a medium for divine intervention of God’s blessings. In each festival of Bastar one can see the tribals blowing the Todi when the idols of Gods or Goddesses are taken in a procession from the temples. The biggest demonstration of the music of Todi can be experienced during the Dussera Festival of Bastar celebrated at Jagdalpur and Dantewada for Goddess Dhanteshwari.

Another form of Dokra Art, Jhitku-Mitki comes from a folk tale from ancient Chhattisgarh which speaks of seven overprotective and affectionate brothers and their sister Mitki. They married her to a boy called Jhitku and all was fine until the time their financial woes kept worsening due to floods, rains and the stagnation of crops in their fields and her brothers dreamt that the Goddess was demanding sacrifice. On not finding anyone, they sacrificed Jhitku. Mitki could not bear the separation and took her life

The Jhitku-Mitki sculptures, made by the Ghadwa community, hold a significant place in the Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The love story of Jhitku-Mitki, is still remembered by the villagers in their fables and songs. The tribal community of Bastar, worships ‘Jhitku-Matki’ as the deity of wealth.