What are Majuli Masks and Majuli Manuscript Painting - Art And Culture | UPSC Learning
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What are Majuli Masks and Majuli Manuscript Painting
Medium⏱️ 4 min read
art and culture
📖 Introduction
<h4>Introduction to Majuli Masks</h4><p><strong>Majuli masks</strong> are unique and intricately crafted masks, traditionally made by hand using age-old techniques. These masks are a significant part of the cultural heritage of <strong>Majuli</strong>, the world's largest river island, located in <strong>Assam</strong>, India.</p><div class="info-box"><strong>Origin:</strong> Majuli Island, Assam<br><strong>Craftsmanship:</strong> Handmade using traditional techniques<br><strong>Primary Use:</strong> Theatrical performances, particularly <strong>bhaonas</strong></div><h4>Role in Bhaonas and Neo-Vaishnavite Tradition</h4><p>The handmade masks are primarily used to depict various characters in <strong>bhaonas</strong>. These are traditional forms of entertainment that convey strong religious messages, often with a devotional theme.</p><p>These performances are central to the <strong>neo-Vaishnavite tradition</strong>, a significant religious and cultural movement introduced in Assam. The masks bring to life the mythological characters and narratives, making the devotional messages more accessible and engaging for the audience.</p><div class="key-point-box"><strong>Bhaonas:</strong> Traditional theatrical performances with devotional messages.<br><strong>Neo-Vaishnavite Tradition:</strong> A religious movement that emphasizes devotion to Vishnu, particularly prominent in Assam, and forms the ideological backbone of these art forms.</div>

💡 Key Takeaways
- •Majuli masks are traditional, handmade masks from Majuli, Assam.
- •They are used in bhaonas, theatrical performances with devotional messages.
- •The masks are integral to the neo-Vaishnavite tradition introduced by Srimanta Sankaradeva.
- •They depict mythological characters and are crafted from natural, biodegradable materials.
- •Majuli masks contribute to cultural tourism, local livelihoods, and heritage preservation.
- •Securing a GI tag for Majuli masks is an ongoing effort.
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📚 Reference Sources
•General knowledge on Srimanta Sankaradeva and Neo-Vaishnavism in Assam