Bringing together art and culture in a beautiful amalgamation, an exhibition titled 'Mukhosh — Masks of India', is introducing Delhiites to the spectrum of this indigenous art form. Curated by local artist Neelam Malhotra, the extraordinary masks will be on display in Hauz Khas till June 10.
The collection has been assembled from various cultures, including tribal, spread across the country. Featuring some of the best in the craft, such as Bhuta masks, Chhau and wooden masks from West Bengal, masks from Bastar tribes, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Banaras, Karnataka, will be on display at the event, besides an opulent mask from Nepal.
Setting them apart from each other is their distinctiveness, attributed to the way they are crafted, each offering an expression of traditions, environment, imagination, and centuries of anthropological heritage. Each mask also has its own persona, depending upon the raw material and the utility, which is influenced by differing beliefs and ecologies. From simple to intricately carved, painted, flamboyant, and decorative, these masks also bear an elaborative cultural detailing and an obvious inclination to the geographical region they belong to.
"With time, masks became a very meaningful source of transmitting knowledge by oral means. India revels in a rich cultural folk tradition. Folklore, beliefs, rites and rituals, myths, and rural handicrafts are facets that enrich it," Malhotra said.
She added: "Masks play a significant role as they can portray the right and wrong in the society with utmost clarity. In addition, they are also a reflection of the local tradition or borrowed from mythology as well as religious epics, such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana."
