FROM MUKHOTA TO DIVINE: REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN RELIGIOUS MASK MAKING PROCESSES ACROSS UTTARAKHAND'S CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

• Somya Rawat

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The religious depiction through mask making in Uttarakhand represents a unique combination of devotion, craftsmanship, and cultural identity which is deeply rooted in rituals through theatres and festivals of its three prominent regions—Garhwal, Kumaon, and Jaunsar–Bawar. This paper gives a contrast study between the materials, techniques, and symbolic functions of masks, examining their role as spiritual mediator in local worship practices. Ramman Festival of Garhwal region where masks are created through carving from Bhojpatra are consecrated temple objects, connecting mythological epics and community ritual performances. Hill Jatra masks from Kumaon, crafted from wood, papier-mâché, and clay, to make agrarian deities alive during harvest rites, reflecting the connections of folk theatre, morality tales and traditions. Meanwhile, Jaunsar–Bawar’s Pandav Līlā masks are essential to trance-based ceremonies, where priests channel Mahasu Devta and Pandava spirits, depicting tribal–Hindu syncretism.
With ethnographic observation, artisan interviews, and document analysis, this study portrays both shared and separate processes of mask creation, from different materials like from wood selection and carving to ritual consecration. In that, all three regions serve as sacred incarnations of divine power, variations in iconography, crafting methods, and community hierarchies underscore localized religious narratives. By comparing these regional practices, the paper argues that Uttarakhand’s mask is a living traditional culture that not only sustains religious expression but also treats it as a symbol of collective identity and heritage. It emphasizes the importance for context-specific preservation strategies, combining artisan training, and digital documentation to preserve these cultural assets for future generations.

1. Somya Rawat

   a Assistant Professor, Department of Fine Arts, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University

• FROM MUKHOTA TO DIVINE: REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN RELIGIOUS MASK MAKING PROCESSES ACROSS UTTARAKHAND'S CULTURAL LANDSCAPE (अंग्रेज़ी)

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