Chhau Masks of West Bengal

Chhau masks are a cultural identity of the people of West Bengal in the village of Purulia. These masks generally carry legacies of the Hindu epics, such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. The magnificent and elaborate decorated masks have also earned the Geographical Indication (G.I.) tag by the Government of India, for their historical value.

Chhau masks originate from the Chhau dance which is considered as one of the oldest dance forms in Indian history.The dance therefore, is a narrative form of expression. It is used to narrate stories of the deities and other figures from the Hindu epics, Puranas and other religious texts. Mayurbhanj, Seraikela and Purulia are the three major Chhau dance styles. Each has a unique approach to the use of facial covering. Mayurbhanj Chhau used masks until the nineteenth century, but now only uses paint, make-up and costumes. However, masks are still an essential component of Purulia and Seraikela Chhau.

The Chhau masks thus inhabit the very essence of this story-telling. These vibrant masks carry with them many mythological stories. These have been remembered time-and-again on various occasions. They are thus considered an intrinsic part of the Chhau dance.

These masks are generally made by the Sutradhaar community of West Bengal. Along with the masks, the headdress attached to it is also decorated with equal importance and gusto. The process of making them is a specific one and carried forward from one generation to another in a family. Making these masks requires skill and precision.

Chhau dance performance

You can watch the video on Chhau mask making here.

Steps for Making a Chhau Mask

Make the structure of the mask with a mixture of wet mud.
After completing the mud mould, powdered ash or talcum powder is sprinkled over the structure.
A layer of bits of paper dipped in adhesive is then put over the mud structure and is then left to be thoroughly dried.
Now a layer of wet mud is applied over the dried paper mould.
Post applying wet mud, a third layer of cotton cloth is applied which is dipped in mud.
The entire surface of the mould is then smoothened to define with a sculpting tool to show the details and intricate curves of the mask.
Now let the mask dry in the sunlight completely. Be sure not to skip this step as it is the most important one.
Once the mask is dry, detach it from the mud mould.
Now you can paint the mask with natural colour, in order to give the mask some finer details.

Making of the Chhau mask

Alternatively, the Chhau masks can be constructed from a clay mould layered with wood or cane, covered in paper-mache. Additional details in the masks, such as facial hair, are added using jute and acrylic wool during the drying process. Wire halos embellish the tops of the masks, symbolising deities, demons or forest animals, adorned with coloured beads and sequins. These masks vividly portray a diverse array of characters, including the fierce goddess Durga, the formidable demon Mahishasura, and epic heroes like Arjuna and Lakshmana from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Arjuna and Lakshmana typically sport pink faces and distinctive black moustaches. Rama is characterised by a green mask, while Krishna is represented with a striking blue mask. The mask for Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion deity, features a majestic mane and intense, wild eyes. Ganesha is symbolised by an elephant mask, Shiva’s mask showcases serpents and matter hair, and his son Skanda, traditionally considered handsome, is depicted with a pink visage.

Some of the popular Chhau masks have a rich meaning and story behind them. Let us now explore of these meanings:

Chhau Masks and Their Meanings

Maa Durga masks

Maa Durga: Chhau Mask of Maa Durga by Dharmendra Sutradhar

Maa Durga is known as the divine feminine in the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses. She was created to defeat the reign of terror of the asura (demon) Mahishasura, on Earth. Mahishasura was granted a boon by Lord Brahma (the creator), that no god or man could kill him. However, Mahishasura could be killed by a woman.

Therefore, when Mahishashura and his wreaked havoc on Earth, the Trideva, the trinity of three gods, Lord Brahma (the creator), Lord Vishnu (the preserver), and Lord Shiva (the destroyer); created the goddess Durga. She is said to be an avatar (embodiment) of goddess Parvati.

It is said that Maa Durga fought the army of Mahishasura for ten days, killing the demon on the last day. This is why goddess Durga is also called Mahishasuramardini (killer of Mahishasura).

In the West Bengal culture, artists narrate this story wearing these masks and performing the Chhau dance. Hence, this occasion is celebrated with lots of splendour and energy.

Mahishasura masks

Mahishasur in Chhau Mask by Dharmendra Sutradhar

The demon Mahishashura was known to be the strongest demon, and the one who could not be defeated by any man or god. While narrating the story of Mahishasura and Maa Durga, artists wear these masks and don the personality of that character.

Lord Hanuman masks

Lord Hanuman in Chhau Mask by Dharmendra Sutradhar

Lord Hanuman is the monkey god and an important character in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is known as the most faithful follower and devotee of Lord Rama (the main character in Ramayana).

Lord Hanuman’s mask is often used by artists in the depiction of Raavana Vaddha (killing of Raavana), from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Maa Kali masks

Resplendent Reverence: Chhau Mask of Goddess Kali by Dharmendra Sutradhar

The goddess Kali is known to be one of the many incarnations of the goddess Parvati. She is the divine feminine in the Hindu mythology and is described as having an irate expression with dark blue skin, wearing tiger skin and a garland of skulls.

Kali Puja is a highly venerated festival celebrated in the states of West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, in India. It is typically celebrated on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar. The festival begins on or after Diwali and goes on for ten days. The ten days stand for the ten Maha Vidyas–each day corresponding to each incarnation leading to the Kali Puja. It should however be noted that Kali Puja is not the same as the festival of Durga Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated during the nine-days festival of Navratri. Kali Puja, on the other hand, is mostly celebrated on the day of the Indian festival of lights, Diwali.

The story behind Kali Puja is an interesting one. As narrated in the Durga Saptashati, which is taken from the Hindu text Markandeya Purana, the story chronicles the war fought between the god Vishnu and an army of demons. Goddess Kali was born from the sleeping body of Lord Vishnu in order to wake him up and protect the world against the two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha and their army. A long war ensued, and goddess Kali played an active role in aiding Lord Vishnu to attain victory over the demons. The most prominent feat of goddess Kali is the defeat of the demon Raktabeej. He was given a boon of producing his clones as soon as his blood touched the ground. Goddess Kali, is famously known to have sucked every drop of blood of Raktabeej and defeated him.

The Tribal Couple

A Tribal Couple: Chhau Mask by Dharmendra Sutradhar

A popular Chhau mask made by the people of West Bengal is that of a tribal couple. The tribal couple is said to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva and his consort goddess Parvati. In the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Arjuna, while doing penance, wandered as far as present-day Assam in India. Lord Shiva in order to test Arjuna’s devotion took the form of a local tribal man, Kirat, with goddess Parvati also disguising herself as a tribal woman. Kirat then challenged Arjuna to a duel over a boar. Impressed by Arjuna’s strength and valour, Lord Shiva then gave Arjuna the Pashupata Astra.

Thus, the masks of the tribal couple are made for the purpose of reciting this story to the audience.

There are many more Chhau masks that are made after various other mythological characters and animals. This list, by no means, is an exhaustive one.