Mask Making In Assam's Majuli For Autumn Festivities

In Art Matters this week, we travel to the world's largest riverine island and India's first island district: Majuli in Assam. Here, some of the state's rich heritage and culture, especially its Vaishnav art forms, have been preserved for centuries. One of the big festivals in Majuli is the 'Ras Leela' which begins from the full moon of autumn and continues for more than a fortnight. At the centre of festivities is the use of elaborate masks to depict characters and a tradition of mask making, which is gradually getting international recognition but has gathered little attention in India.