Around 150 years back during the rule of king Madan Mohan Singh Deo of Baghmundi the tradition of making chhau masks started. Chau Dance is an aerobatic martial dance form of Purulia. The Chau Mask is traditionally associated with this age old dance form of Purulia, where the performers wear masks of various mythological characters and also different animals. In Purulia Chau dancers wear large stylized masks while performing and hence the evolving of Chau Mask making.
Technical Specification:
The Purulia Chau Masks have feathers and other ornaments that surround the face part of the mask. These can extend off about 2 feet from the mask itself. Dark yellow or bright orange are the colors often used to portray Gods and Goddesses like Devi Durga, Lakhsmi, and Kartik. White is generally used for Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati. Black or blue are generally used for masks portraying Goddess Kali. A talisman or a tilak is generally applied on the forehead of Lord Rama and Krishna and the Asuras are painted in black or deep green with thick mustaches and protruding teeth and large eyes.
Impact of the Environment:
Clay is locally available from river Marangburu, which is just right for the robustness and durability of the masks. The hot and arid climate of Purulia helps in baking the mask. The mask makers also used to adorn the masks with leaves and flowers collected from the nearby village.
Human Skills:
The facial expression of the mask is the reflection of the local culture and perception of the artist. The making of Chau mask is a delicate piece of work from the preparation of mold to rendition of the face and the decoration thereafter each of the steps required distinctive skills. These skills acquired by the artist traditionally from their ancestors.
Method of Production:
- First a clay model of the mask is made and ash is smeared on it.
- Then a mixture of paper, water, and gum is applied on the model.
- Then a thin layer of clay is applied to the paper and gum mixture and a piece of old cloth is pasted down. With a tool called a batali the artisans carve in the features of the face.
- Next clay and water are added to the mask which helps set the clay, paper, and cloth used in making the mask.
- After the model is dried, it is covered in zinc oxide.
- Masks are then painted and other decorations (foil, beads, colored paper, and feathers) are added to the mask.
- The mask is then beautifully decorated using jari (tinsel threads), sparkles and colored foils, string of beads, pith works, colored flowers made from shola (a reed, Aeschymene aspera) and colored feathers.
Uniqueness:
- There are three styles of Chhau out of which Purulia is the most robust and virile. Unlike Seraikella, Purulia Chhau never depended on royal patronage so it retains its vigorous folk character.
- The Purulia Masks are painted in vivid colors.
- The pattern of them symbolizes the rank and temperament of the character.
- The masks have a glossy finish.
- All heroic characters wear elaborate head dress that form part of the mask. The crown is completed with feather silver beads and yarn. In contrast, the masks of the demons in Purulia are in vivid red or green colors. They have ferocious facial expressions, blood shot eyes, wide dilated nostrils, wrinkled skin and open mouth from which fangs come out. They also sport unkempt black hair and black beards.
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