Masks

The Masks made by the chhou dancers of Purulia districts though fall under the group of paper mash but its peculiarly is that the craftsmen do not use any negative mould. For every mask, firstly they make a clay model of the desired shaped and then designed.

Several layers of scrap papers and old rags dipped in clay solutions are pasted over the green clay model. The clay is drop out when the over coated layer gets dried. Then the mask is painted in bright colours and now it becomes ready for use of the dancers.

These masks are generally used for legendary or methological and demons and folk festivals and as decorative items for homes.The masks of kirat kirantini have become famous now a days. Papier mache masks come mainly from Purulia, but those made from wood in Darjeeling are also extremely popular.