Think of Panchgani and you immediately start plotting an itinerary of hiking trails in the lofty Sahyadris, watching the sun set over the powder-blue Krishna River and visiting the luscious strawberry farms. However, did you know that the popular hill station, about four hours away from Mumbai, is also home to a lesser-known art form known as Rock Dhokra? Originating in 2,500 BC in Mohenjodaro, and largely prevalent in Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa as tribal art, Dhokra uses a lost-wax casting technique (casting a duplicate metal structure from an original) to create animal and human figurines. If you are keen to discover the ancient art form or wish to make a Rock Dhokra sculpture yourself, sign up with The Travel Of Art for a two-day trip this weekend.

An artist in Devrai Art Village