Traditional Masks of India

Masks have been a significant expression of art and culture in various indigenous communities of India. Apart from holding great historical as well as traditional value for the communities that are associated with them, these traditional masks also help in understanding the unique cultures of these communities.

While many traditional masks are used as decorations and objects of worship, some masks are also used as accessories in the elaborate costumes of some traditional dance forms performed by the diverse indigenous communities.

Most of these masks are made from natural materials and are composed of vibrant colours. These traditional Indian masks exhibit the great artistic and creative skills of the indigenous communities and also help in preserving the deep cultural significance that they hold.

Let us have a look at some of these spectacular Indian traditional masks:

Chhau Masks

Maa Durga in Chhau Mask by Dharmendra Sutradhar

Chhau masks are an integral part of the Chhau dance form. It is a folk dance hailing from the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The dance was traditionally performed by men of the tribal population in the area however, in recent years, women are also known to perform this dance.

The Chhau masks are known to be a significant accessory for the Chhau dancers. The masks are generally colourful and elaborate in form. Primarily made out of clay, paper mache and wood, these masks are made by rural artists of the community. Since the Chhau dance incorporates various stories of Hindu deities such as Shiva and Durga, the Chhau masks resonate with the same stories. Apart from this, the masks are also made in resonance with Hindu epics and other popular tribal characters.

Chhau masks are structured with extravagant and ornate decoration around the face. The face itself is made featuring bold eyes and lips adding to the dramatic effect of the Chhau dance performed by the dancers.

Cham Masks

Cham masks are often used in Cham dance performances, emerging from the regions of Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal and India. These ornate masks are believed to harbour wrathful and irate deities known to be protecting against the evil forces, and instilling fear in them.

Due to the enraged nature of the deities, which the Cham masks are used to depict, these masks generally include intimidating expressions. These masks are usually made of clay and constitute defined noses, eyes, eyebrows, big teeth and beards.

The Cham masks are also known to be a symbol of peace and tranquillity. They are used in Vajrayana Buddhism (also known as Tibetan Buddhism) as ritualistic objects. The deities that are understood to be residing in these masks are also believed to protect one from obstacles encountered in an individual’s journey to enlightenment. Many old masks are revered as special ritualistic objects too and are worshipped by many pilgrims travelling far and wide on pilgrimage.

Cheriyal Masks

Lord Hanuman in Cheriyal Mask by Sai Kiran

Cheriyal masks and busts originated from the region of Cheriyal village of Telangana. The Cheriyal masks are generally used during folk theatre performances and storytelling. Characters from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Garuda Purana, are often represented on these masks and busts.

Cheriyal masks are made using unique techniques that include five steps: moulding, drying, decorating, smoothening, and painting. The mould is made out of wood, coconut shells, sawdust and tamarind paste. The vivid colours used are sourced from natural dyes obtained from various plants and minerals.

Dokra Masks

Koya Mask: Dhokra Handicraft by Kunal Rana

Dhokra metal works are a form of tribal art from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chattisgarh. This art is believed to be a legacy from the ancient times of the Harappan civilization.

The name of this art form is derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes of West Bengal, who are known to be the traditional metalsmiths of the region. Since the tribe is close to its rural roots, this art form translates the same. Some of the main motifs include inspiration from their daily tribal lives, nature, and mythology.

It is an age-old form of metal casting tradition that uses the lost wax technique. The artisans initially model the mask with clay and then proceed to layer it with coats of beeswax and resin. After designing intricate patterns on the wax, a clay mould is put over it and heated in a furnace. This makes the wax melt away, hence the name ‘lost wax technique’. Molten metals such as bronze or brass are added to the now hollow structure. Once the metal has been cooled off, the clay structure is broken to reveal the earthy and detailed metal mask. These masks make for beautiful rustic pieces representing a piece of tribal life.

Majuli Masks

Majuli Mask

Majuli masks are important traditional artefacts of Assam. They originate from the Majuli island located on the Brahmaputra river.

These masks were introduced by saint Srimanta Sankardeva, a 15th-century reformer of the neo-Vaishnavite tradition. In order to inspire people to follow Krishna bhakti (devotion to Lord Krishna), saint Sankardeva included masks to depict characters during theatrical performances. The masks are used in Bhaonas–traditional theatrical performances where Hindu mythological stories are enacted by the actors wearing Majuli masks. Various characters from the Hindu epics are represented through these masks, such as gods, demons, animals, and birds.

There are two types of Majuli masks used in the traditional Bhaona performances, namely–mukh mukha (masks covering the face) and cho mukha (masks covering the head as well as body of the performer).

Majuli masks have also recently been awarded the prestigious GI (Geographical Indication) tag. These masks are made with great precision and artistic skill using ingredients such as clay, dung, bamboo, wood, cotton, cloth and other naturally occurring elements in Majuli.

Theyyam Masks

An integral part of the traditional Theyyam dance costume, the Theyyam masks are generally used to portray deities in the performances. The Theyyam dance is traditionally performed by various indigenous tribal communities of Kerala such as Malayar, Pana, Vannan and Velan.

Theyyam masks are customarily known to be a combination of face painting and masks. These masks are characterised by enormous and heavily detailed headgear made using natural products. Elements such as areca palm wood and leaves are used to create the structure of these elaborate masks. The colour scheme is usually vivid and in stark contrast to each other. The most commonly used colours are orange, white, yellow, red and black.

Wooden Masks of Sikkim

An ancient craft from the state of Sikkim in India, wooden mask-making was initially promoted by the Buddhist monasteries in the region. These masks are generally made out of a light yet tough wood called ‘Zaru shing’ (Zaru wood), which is a type of tree typically found in higher altitudes of Sikkim. Faces of gods, goddesses and animals are carved into these masks, portraying expressions of anger or serenity.

People are known to wear these masks on special occasions such as festivals, religious ceremonies, or traditional dances.

Note: There are numerous mask-making traditions in North-East India that are not documented or poorly documented. This list is not exhaustive and is subject to additions in light of new documentation.