Forms
Forms
Rukshad Bhagwagar started FORMS in 1989, running it from his backyard. The business consisted of only 2 craftsmen who designed and made gifts, selling them the locally. Forms grew rapidly into a 7-acre factory called ' Forms Village' in 1991 and now are in partnership with Bapuna's. It manufactures handicrafts and furniture, exporting its products around the world.
It has a huge range of products to offer in wood, brass and iron. All the products are designed and made in the factory itself. Forms has a team of experienced designers, carpenters, carvers, polishers, upholsters and brass crafters. One of its specialties is Dhokra (lost-wax), one of the earliest known methods of metal casting. Each piece is individually molded and cast. First, the artisan makes an inner core of clay, dries it thoroughly, and smooths it using Neem or Tamarind leaves. Then beeswax is pushed through a sieve and the fine strands of wax are wrapped around the clay core. The artisan carves details into the wax, using fingernails for the most intricate details.
Next, the artisan completely covers the figure with clay, forming a mould. The mould has a hole at one point to allow the wax to drain out and the mould forms a funnel around the hole. The mould is dried in the sun, then fired til the wax melts completely away. Finally, brass chunks are placed in the funnel and the piece is fired at high temperature so that the brass melts into the space left by the wax. When cool, the clay mould is broken and the brass object is revealed.
