Women Artisans Preserve Assam's Centuries-Old Mask-Making Tradition

In a small village called Bengenaati Satra on Majuli island in Assam, women artisans are keeping alive a very old tradition of making masks.

These masks, called Mukha Shilpa, are made from natural materials like bamboo, clay from the Brahmaputra river, cloth, and cow dung.

The women craft these masks to look like gods, demons, and mythical figures, using a special process that involves layering and painting.

This tradition was started a long time ago by a saint named Srimanta Sankaradeva and is now gaining recognition.

A man named Hem Chandra Goswami, who is very skilled in this art, has taught these women how to make the masks.

The masks are not just for traditional performances anymore; they are also used in modern plays, home decoration, and museum exhibits.

Thanks to a training program, these women are now selling their masks locally and nationally, which helps them earn a living.

Tourists from all over the world come to see these beautiful handicrafts and learn about this amazing tradition.