ModestoMolino5 at 14:07, 18 April 2026

2026-04-18T14:07:09Z

New page

{{Short description|Mask used for Chhau dancing}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name = Purulia Chhau mask
| image = Chhau Mask of Charida.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Chhau mask of [[Charida]], [[Purulia district|Purulia]]
| alternative names = Chhau dance mask
| description =Chhau mask is used for [[Chhau dance]] in [[Purulia district|Purulia]]
| type =[[West Bengal]] folk cultural art
| area = [[Purulia district|Purulia]] and nearby villages
| country = India
| registered =28 March 2018
| material = Clay, soft paper, diluted glue, cloth, mud, fine ash powder etc.
}}

The '''Chhau mask''' is a traditional cultural heritage of [[Purulia district|Purulia]] in the Indian state of [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://purulia.gov.in/distAdmin/departments/dico/chau_dance.html|title=The Official Website of Purulia District|website=purulia.gov.in|access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> The Chhau mask of Purulia is registered on the [[List of Geographical Indications in India|List of Geographical Indications]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/Bengal-handicrafts-to-get-new-fillip-with-GI-tags/article14572749.ece|title=Bengal handicrafts to get new fillip with GI tags|date=2016-08-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-05-15|agency=PTI|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> As the basic difference of Purulia Chhau the mask is unique and traditional.

It is the mask which differentiates the Purulia Chhau from its other two significant branches: the [[Seraikela chhau|Seraikella Chhau]] of Jharkhand and the [[Mayurbhanj Chhau]] of Odisha. The Jharkhand counterpart does involve masks but they are rather simpler, small and evocative, without any of the pompous vibrancy of the Purulia variants.<ref name=":0" /> While the Mayurbhanj type is an unmasked form. It is the Purulia form only that uses large evocative masks along with elaborate costumes that intensify the energetic performance, despite the challenges to physicalization.<ref name=":0" />

The mask allows the artists to morph into the character — therefore Anusua Mukherjee notes that when an artists wears a particular mask, he or she “gets into character immediately, transforming into mellow [[Kartikeya|Kartik]], fierce [[Ravana]], or [[Durga|Durga’s]] ferocious lion”.<ref name=":0" /> Chhau artist Anil Mahato says, “[[Shiva]] danced the ''[[tandava]]'' : wearing his mask brings in that frisson for me.”<ref name=":2">{{Citation |title=Chau - Wonder Mask |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1LHfqZU7Us |language=en |access-date=2023-02-01}}</ref> One could perhaps imagine the centrality of the mask to Chhau dance with the Thalia or the Melpomene masks used in [[Ancient Greek comedy|Greek Comedy]] and [[Greek tragedy|Tragedy]] theatres respectively, or perhaps the masks used in [[mystery play]]s during the middle ages<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-06 |title=A Comparative Study of Chhau Masks of Eastern India and Ancient Greek |url=https://stagebuzz.in/2019/01/06/a-comparative-study-of-chhau-masks-of-eastern-india-and-ancient-greek-masks-gouri-nilakantan/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=StageBuzz |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==History==
The tradition of making Chhau masks started during the rule of king Madan Mohan Singh Deo of [[Baghmundi]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-09 |title=about chau - Chau |url=https://www.puruliachau.com/about/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> The Chhau mask is traditionally associated with the age-old dance forms in Purulia district.
[[File:Chhau Mask.jpg|thumb|Variety of Masks. The Kirat-Kiratini masks can be seen in the front rows.]]
The tradition of mask-making was popularised by Buddeshwar, who is venerated as the first mask maker of Charida. In Charida, there is also a statue of Buddeshwar. He is said to have created the first male and female masks, known as Kirat and Kiratni, representing forms of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]]. This was a turning point in the history of mask-making.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=The Many Faces of Purulia Masks |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-many-faces-of-purulia-masks/FgWxjtMD6J6BIQ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Theatre Museum Kolkata, Chhau Mask, Folk Gallery,.jpg|left|thumb|Chhau Masks on display at the Theatre Museum in Kolkata.]]

==Themes==
[[File:Mahisasuramardini - Chhau Dance - Royal Chhau Academy - Science City - Kolkata 2014-02-13 9131.JPG|thumb|right|Mahisasuramardini in Purulia Chhau]]
The Purulia Chhau mask received the [[Geographical indication|GI tag]] in 2018. This has been a welcome step: the artists have become more aware of their intellectual property rights.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Shiv Sahay |date=2018-05-29 |title=Bengal's Chau mask acquires GI fame |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/bengals-chau-mask-acquires-gi-fame/article24028259.ece |access-date=2023-02-01 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Besides being used for performances, some of the masks are sold as keepsakes and souvenirs particularly to the tourists.

The masks are of various types used for particular dance renditions. They are classified into the ''babu'', ''bir'', ''bhoot'', animal, birds, and ''nari'' masks.<ref name=":0" />

The ''babu'' category includes masks for chiefly male gods like [[Narayana]], [[Ganesha]], [[Kartikeya|Kartik]], [[Krishna]], [[Shiva]], etc. The ''bir'' or the hero masks would include those worn by artists who play the demons like [[Ravana]] and [[Mahishasura]]. Tiger, buffalo, monkey heroes like [[Vali (Ramayana)|Bali]] and [[Sugriva]] from the epic [[Ramayana]] fall under the category of animal masks. [[Durga]], [[Parvati]], [[Saraswati]] and incarnations of the Goddess are categorised under the ''nari'' or women masks, while bird masks are for [[Jatayu]], peacock, swan, etc.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" />
[[File:Chhau Dance2.jpg|left|thumb|A typical ''bir'' mask showing the face of a demon.]]
[[File:Chhau Nritya (2).jpg|thumb|A ''nari'' mask showing the face of Durga.]]
[[File:Chau Mask.jpg|left|thumb|A mask showing the Hindu deity ''Ganesha''. The distinguishing feature is the trunk.]]
“Each dancer’s mask is unique”, says Anusua Mukherjee while reporting on Charida for [[The Hindu]]. The masks are made “according to his or her facial measurements by their trusted craftsmen, who work in close collaboration with the troupes”, Mukherjee adds.<ref name=":0" /> In this way, the mask-maker imparts his own understanding of the character which eventually also shapes the dances. There isn’t much scope for experimentation for the masks are stylised but artisans being in their own flavour particularly while painting the eyes of the characters.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />

Performers use only the full-face masks, but smaller masks are also produced and sold to the art collectors.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Chatterjee |first=Deepsikha |date=2019 |title=Masks and Costumes of Purulia Chhau |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26732449 |journal=Asian Theatre Journal |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=221–238 |doi=10.1353/atj.2019.0011 |jstor=26732449 |s2cid=166328226 |issn=0742-5457|url-access=subscription }}</ref> According to Tsubaki and Richmond, the style of mask-making bears a similarity to the Krishna Nagar School of Painting that had its origins in the [[Nadia district|Nadia]] district of West Bengal during the 18th Centuries.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Indian theatre : traditions of performance |date=1990 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |others=Farley P. Richmond, Darius L. Swann, Phillip B. Zarrilli |isbn=0-8248-1190-9 |location=Honolulu |oclc=20594132}}</ref>
[[File:Durga with Lion - Mahisasuramardini - Chhau Dance - Royal Chhau Academy - Science City - Kolkata 2014-02-13 9127.JPG|thumb|The '[[Mahisasuramardini]]' Chhau recital performed by Purulia's 'Royal Chhau Academy', during an international conference and intensive seminar on 'Strategic Transformations: Museums in 21st Century' organised by the National Council of Science Museums, India in collaboration with [[Indian Museum, Kolkata]], [[National Museum, New Delhi]] (Ministry of Culture Govt. of India) and Indian National Committee of ICOM, held at Mini Auditorium, [[Science City Kolkata|Science City, Kolkata]] on 13 February 2014. Note the animal mask of the lion, and the ''nari'' mask of Durga.]]
The performance masks are full-face, and covers almost the parietal bone to the base of the back skull which allows for an improved stability especially when halos strung of wire are added around the headgear. The wire frames on the headgear are embellished using coloured beads, sequins, confetti, etc., to evoke the image of the imposing gods and goddesses, grotesque demons, or specific animals which the masks portray.<ref name=":5" /> Some of the headdresses weigh up to five kilograms.<ref name=":4" />

For popular Chhau characters, there exist standardised visual conventions. Handsome, yet human-like heroes like [[Lakshmana|Lakshman]], [[Kartikeya|Kartik]], [[Arjuna]], or [[Parashurama]] are painted pink with a black moustache. Lord [[Krishna]] sports a blue mask, while [[Rama]] has a green one. The Goddesses are mostly pink, and have prominent feminine jewelries such as nose rings, earrings, and vermillion marks drawn on their foreheads. The distinct gods are portrayed with their very specific iconography — for instance [[Narasimha|Narasingha]] (the half-lion, half-man avatar of Vishnu) has furious eyes, a very fierce expression and a mane, whole [[Ganesha]] has an elephant head, and [[Shiva|Shiva’s]] mask shows a matted hair and a serpent true to the blue god’s representation. On the other hand, a peacock-headed associate, played by another dancer, accompanies [[Kartikeya|Kartik]]; and [[Durga]] is accompanied by a performer who plays the role of [[Mahishasura|Mahishashur]] wearing a designated demon mask, while another dancer performs the role of the actual bull (Mahishasura is believed to have sprung into the battlefield from a buffalo). Her vahan or vehicle, the lion, is shown wearing a large mask, and an oversized orange fabric that moves and pulsates with movements of the two dancers who make the lion appear larger. The demons usually are shown with fierce eyes fitting with their monstrous features and their faces are painted in black, green or other dark colours.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" />

The artistic capability and spirit of innovation of the mask artists come to the fore when unusual characters have to be made. In recent past, masks of Marvel comic characters such as [[Green Goblin (Ultimate Marvel character)|Green Goblin]], Sylvester Stallone, or [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] have been created by artists, and these are particularly popular among the non-chhau buyers.<ref name=":5" />

==Manufacture==
[[File:Makers of Chau mask in the village Chorida of Bagmundi block of Purulia. 01.jpg|thumb|Makers of Chhau masks in the village of [[Charida]], Baghmundi block, Purulia]]
[[File:Making of Chhau Mask.jpg|thumb|An old artisan busy making masks in his workshop.]]
Chhau masks are made by artists from the [[Sutradhar]] community. The making of a mask goes through various stages. 8–10 layers of soft paper, immersed in diluted glue, are pasted one after another on the mould before the mud mould is dusted with fine ash powder. The facial features are made of clay. A special layer of mud and cloth is applied and the mask is then sun-dried. After this, the mould is polished and a second round of sun drying is done before separating the layers of cloth and paper from the mould. After finishing and drilling of holes for the nose and eyes, the mask is coloured and decorated.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5590e1c1e4b01cfd84ef7264/t/56bd94ae7da24fd5476fbc2e/1455264959070/Masks+of+Bengal.pdf|title=The Masks of Bengal|website=static1.squarespace.com|access-date=2019-01-07|archive-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213135506/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5590e1c1e4b01cfd84ef7264/t/56bd94ae7da24fd5476fbc2e/1455264959070/Masks+of+Bengal.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.biswabangla.in/ldf-blog/2015/9/22/the-mask|title=The Mask|work=Biswa Bangla|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref>

The base of the mask is formed with a wood or a cane, which most mask makers own. After this, the clay is applied to the base and a mould is created. The mould, after it has been dried, is separated from the base and layered with [[Papier-mâché|papier mache]].<ref name=":5" /> The papier mache is smoothened by adding another layer of clay. Lightweight cotton fabrics are also used at times. The making of the base requires roughly about three days, and most of this time is needed for sun-drying. However, before the entire mask dries up completely details such as hair, eyes, eyebrows, etc., are added. The decoration and painting of the masks requires another set of three working days or more. Smaller and simple masks, usually meant to be taken and sold as souvenirs, are painted and decorated within a day.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" />

An engaging video of the mask making process can be accessed here: https://www.daricha.org/video_play.aspx?ID=95 . The video documents how Nepal Chandra Sutradhar demonstrates the art of mask-making in his workshop at Charida.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Daricha Foundation |url=https://www.daricha.org//video_play.aspx?ID=95 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.daricha.org}}</ref>

The clay used for mask-making is sourced from alluvial soil from neighbouring farms, while hair and animal manes are made using jute or acrylic wool. Paint, wire, the sequins, shiny stars, leaves and other decorative items come from the wholesale markets of Kolkata in large quantities. Older masks being sold from the artisan’s collection undergoes what is called polishing: that is the artists add colour to spruce them up. While blow dryers are used to hasten the drying phase so as to meet the clients’ deadline. In Charida, the artists are not just skilled craftsmen but also very able sales people.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":4" />
[[File:A man making the Chhau mask, Charida, Purulia.jpg|left|thumb|Man making a chhau mask in his workshop at Charida, Purulia.]]
Masks are commissioned only after a particularly company receives an order/invitation for performance, and an advance payment that enables the company to pay for the masks. For example: in 2017, when the New Star Chhau Dance Group went to perform in Maharashtra, they had commissioned tricolour masks which resembled the Indian flag from Charida artist Manoranjan Sutradhar. They had played the Mahishashur Slayer performances. However, at times, when there is a lack of time or finances, mask-makers work in close association with the dance troupe, modifying older masks and repainting them to meet the current production demands. A typical handsome male mask, used for [[Kartikeya|Kartik]], could be easily repainted to show [[Arjuna]]; similarly the demon mask also could be easily altered.<ref name=":5" />

== Charida: Where masks are made ==
[[Charida]], located in the [[Baghmundi]] block of [[Purulia]], is the centre of making Chhau masks, where nearly every residence along the street becomes a workshop simultaneously. Some even have names like ''Mukhosh Ghar'' (House of Masks).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Mukherjee |first=Anusua |date=2021-01-02 |title=The mask is the pivotal part of Purulia Chhau |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/the-mask-is-the-pivotal-part-of-purulia-chhau/article33472537.ece |access-date=2023-02-01 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The place has been designated as the Bengal government’s Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles, in association with [[UNESCO]]. Charida is also known as ''Mukhosh Gram'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=A trip to Charida – the village of Chhau mask makers in Purulia |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/a-trip-to-mukhosh-gram-charida-the-village-of-bengal-chhau-mask-makers-in-purulia/cid/1890437 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> literally meaning the mask village.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Purulia Chhau mask shop.jpg|left|thumb|A typical mask shop at Charida.]]
[[File:A shop of Chhau Mask in Charida.jpg|thumb|A Chhau Mask-Shop in Charida.]]In Charida, mask making is a family business. The place has 300 individuals from 115 families approximately engaged in this art of mask creation.<ref name=":0" /> Simple ingredients like clay and paper is used, however the process is slow, detailed and progresses from one step to another. While for the final decorations tinsel, glass beads, ''zari'', plastic flowers, feathers, strips of coloured jute for hair, etc. are used.<ref name=":0" /> Even little girls and boys are engaged in this creative process, and this is a way that the art is handed down from one generation to the next.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2019-11-16 |title=Process - Chau |url=https://www.puruliachau.com/process/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The chief mask-maker supervises the task executed mainly by the women folk in the family. The distinctive decoration, which adds the vibrancy and elaborate effect for which the Purulia masks are known, is done almost entirely by the women of the household. Yet there is a disjunct for till now all award-winning mask-makers from Charida have been men, a change thus needs to be called for.<ref name=":0" />

[[Gambhir Singh Mura]] (1930–2002), who was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], brought the name and recognition to the art form for the first time. Performers like Mura are also mask-makers.<ref name=":0" /> Mura's statue is found in Charida. There is also a museum in Charida which documents the art and the journey of Purulia Chhau masks. A Chhau mask festival is also held at the village during the time of January–February.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Tania |date=2018-06-09 |title=A visit to Charida the village of Chhau mask makers |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/charida-the-village-of-mask-makers/article24113945.ece |access-date=2023-02-01 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

[[File:Chhau Mask of West Bengal in Indian Stamp.jpg|thumb|left|Chhau mask of West Bengal on an Indian stamp, 2017]]

==Geographical Indication Tag==
The Chhau mask of [[Purulia]] acquired the [[Geographical indication|Geographical Indication]] (GI) tag in 2018, and was registered in the [[List of Geographical Indications in India]].<ref name=":7"/> As the basic difference of Purulia Chhau the mask is unique and traditional craft, and the GI tag has brought increased attention to the craft both from the national and international levels, made the artisan's aware of their rights, and improved their condition as sales and demand for performances have increased.<ref name=":7" />

==See also==
* [[Chhau dance]]
* [[Arts of West Bengal]]
* [[Charida]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Geographical indications in West Bengal}}
{{Purulia topics}}
{{Culture of West Bengal}}
{{West Bengal}}

[[Category:Culture of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Purulia district]]

Chhau mask - Revision history

ModestoMolino5 at 14:07, 18 April 2026