Exhibit of the week- 172 (14th to 20th September 2023)

Exhibit of the week- 172
(14th to 20th September 2023)

GANESHA
A mask of Lord Ganesh

Mask-making has been a tradition in Assam for centuries. Various materials are used in the construction of the mask, including bamboo, cane, clay, cow-dung, jute fibre, paper, cotton cloth, and natural colors. The featured object is a white, black, red and yellow coloured mask or mukha of Lord Ganesha. The basic frame is first constructed from bamboo splits. The structure is then covered with a layer of cotton cloth dipped in clay. A mixture of clay and cow-dung is then applied to the cloth and dried in sunlight to give a smooth finish. As soon as the mask is dried completely, the craftsman refines its appearance. It is then painted with natural colors such as Khori maati for white, Hengul for red, charcoal for black, and Harital for yellow.

Mukha is a type of mask used to cover the face of the actor. The ornamentation like crown, hair, jewellery are also added at this stage. These types of masks are mostly worn in Bhaonas, a traditional form of drama played mostly with religious characters and messages. Mukhas are carefully crafted to convey the character's emotions, making the audience feel connected and engaged during the annual celebration of popular folk theatre called 'Ankiya Bhawana'. Additionally, more ornamentation features such as hair, jewellery, and crowns are incorporated before the performance. Actors wears Mukha to cover their faces to create realistic and expressive religious character. This intricate attention to detail helps bring the character of Mukha to life, creating an immersive experience for the audience.

Acc. No. - 2008.457
Local Name - GANESHA - A mask of Lord Ganesh
Community - Folk
Locality - Sivasagar, Assam

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