The Mask

Photography : Aruvi & Shanthini Sarah

Chhau Mask

Chhau means mask - the most essential element in the dance-drama from which it derives its name.

Rajkumar Sudhendra - renowned Chhau dancer

“When I put on the mask I become impersonal. It is easier to slip into the body of another character. Expression does not follow from my face to my body, but its transmitted from my body to my face”

Mask making process

The dark clay used for making the mask is found on the banks of the river Kharkai

The clay model of the character is fixed on a small wodden plank and cooled for 2-3 days to harden it.

The clay model is covered with the wet cloth after moulding.

The nose and eyes are fashioned by sharp steel instruments like ‘Chota Karni’, ‘Badhni’, ‘topi’, and nongly)

Each mask is first visualised by studying the character it is to represent, and then given shape and substance

The ash powder called ‘Rakh/rakhi’ is sprinkled on it so that the actual mask doesn’t stick to the mould

A layer of paper(in bits) is pasted over the mould covering it completely

Next a thin layer of clothes(in bits) is applied on to the previous layer

This process of ‘clothes on paper on clothes’ is repeated number of times according to the required thickness of the mask

The clay is pounded, strained, dissolved in water and made as thick paste to apply on the layers

After the model is dry, the clay is scooped out from the hollow of the mask, by the ‘Karni’

The mask is scrubbed, polished, and painted with ‘Tuli’ (brush).

The stylized contours of the eye-brows, eyes and mouth are painstakingly painted to bring in the distinctive character with which a particular mask is associated

Almost all the masks are made with flat pastel shades that gives them a naïve quality of frankness, simplicity and boldness

The whole technique of Seraikella Chhau dance has evolved and taken shape around the special feature of the mask. The dance will certainly loose its effectiveness, beauty and originality without masks

The face behind the mask -

famous mask makers

‘Shilpakushal’ Prasanna Kumar Mahapatra, renowned mask maker

The art of mask making is highly skillful job, confined to a few, often handed down from father to son

Kanhai Mahrana, mask maker and architect

Basanth kumar Barik, mask maker & teacher in government Chhau academy, Seraikella

Basant kumar Barik moulding the clay, Mask making centre, Government Chhau academy, Seraikella

Sushantho kumar Mahapatra, Mask maker and Architect

Mahapatra’s family is known as the pioneers of mask making in Seraikella

Sumith Kumar Mahapatra , mask maker

Sushanto Mahapatra overlooking at his son who is collecting the clay for the mask

Holes are made on both the sides and thick black twine is tied in to that. This twine is used to fix up the mask on the face of the artist

Women practicing mask making in the mask centre, government Chhau academy, Searikella.

Women are mostly involved in mask making than the dance.

Nabik & Nabikani (boat man and women used in Nabik composition)

Lord ganesha

Yakha & Yakhani (male and female in Meghdooth composition)

Ardhanarishwarar (Lord Shiva)

Krishna mask

Mayur mask (peacock used in Mayurbanj composition)

Thank you