Exploring the Sacred Mukha Shilpa of Majuli, Assam

Raktim Mohan* and Parishmita Kashyap

Mukha shilpa or, mask making tradition, is known as a remarkable cultural heritage of Majuli, the largest river island, situated in Assam in the Northeastern part of India. This tradition is deeply embedded in the Satra culture initiated by Srimanta Sankardeva and represents a vibrant convergence of art, spirituality, and performance. A mask is made of bamboo, cane, cloth and clay. The making process involves shaping, painting and texturing which enhances tactile and visual experiences for artisans and is passed on through generations. The vibrant colour and designs on masks engage visual senses which create the connection between the artists and the themes they represent. Although, this age-old tradition is gaining popularity in media platforms and increased competitiveness, it is very difficult for mask practitioners to maintain the purity and sacredness to cope up with the contemporary time. The multi-faceted efforts by the craftsmen, the Vaishnavite devotees, cultural enthusiasts along with the collaboration with different organisations are trying to preserve and sustain this traditional knowledge of mask making. With the help of anthropological knowledge and methods, this paper will try to analyse the traditional knowledge system of mask-making in Assam and the involvement of Satra culture in promoting this art form. It will also try to find out through this paper the sacredness of masks during Bhaona and other ritual performances in Assam.