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 traditional dance form. Chhau dance is a folk dance hailing from the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The dance was traditionally performed by the 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 paper mache, clay and wood, these masks are made by rural artists of the community. Since the Chhau dance incorporates various stories, especially of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, the Chhau masks resonate the same stories. Apart from this, the masks are also made in resonance to various Hindu epic 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 mask

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 generally made of clay and constitute very 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 that come from far and wide on pilgrimage.

Cheriyal Masks

Lord Hanuman in Cheriyal Mask by Sai Kiran

Cheriyal masks and busts originated from the region of Cherial 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.

There is a unique technique to making the Cheriyal masks which includes the five steps of moulding, drying, decorating, smoothing and painting. The mixture of the mould is made out of various materials like wood, coconut shells, sawdust and tamarind paste. The vivid colours used on the mould, once it is dried, are sourced from natural dyes obtained from various plants and minerals.

Majuli Masks

Majuli masks

Majuli mask

Majuli masks are an important traditional artefacts of Assam. They originate from the Majuli Delta 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–god, demons, animals, and birds.

There are two types of Majuli masks that are 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 like clay, dung, bamboo, wood, cotton, cloth and many other naturally occurring elements in the region of Majuli.

Theyyam Masks

Theyyam Mask

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

Theyyam masks are customarily known to be a combination of face painting and mask. These masks are characterised by enormous and heavily detailed headgear made out of 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. Some of the most commonly used colours are orange, white, yellow, red and black.

Please note, this is not an exhaustive list of the Mask Traditions of India, we will continue to add more as we come across them.