The Living Tradition of Assam’s Bamboo Masks

Intricate and expressive, Assam’s bamboo masks continue to breathe life into centuries-old storytelling and theatrical traditions. For centuries, masks have played a powerful role in folk theatre, evoking shock and awe in performances across cultures. In the Sattriya dance tradition of Majuli, Assam, these handcrafted masks—known as mukhas—bring characters from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas to life, where the proverbial victory of good over evil are common themes. Reba Kanta Mahanta, a master artisan dedicated to this craft, was recently honoured with the Padma Shri (fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India) for his contributions to preserving this heritage. […]