Mask Masking at Samaguri Satra
Mask Masking at Samaguri Satra
4.5
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4.5
66 reviews
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38
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24
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4
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Madhurrao
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates153 contributions
Oct 2022
Absolutely Fantastic experience. We had the great privelege to meet the great Hemchandra Goswami - the pioneer of this art form who very patiently explained to us the process of mask making and also how the art form has evolved. We met his brother Dayal who also explained to us the roles of different masks and how they used it in the recent past. To know that Assam won the No.2 award in the Republic Day parade (2018) was heartening to know, the key credit goes to Goswamiji. We purchased a few masks and purchase a few more (to give as gifts) to likeminded friends. Overall, one of the best experiences we had in Majuli and would request all to visit and promote our art/culture. Absolute must visit!
Written 29 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
liezelpentz
Port Elizabeth, South Africa108 contributions
Jul 2019
I absolutely admire the time and effort that goes into the crafting of these masks and sculptures. The entire process and final products are just amazing. Such beautiful colours and unbelievable detail in the painting and final finish of the masks!
Written 5 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
671Pamela
Caernarfon, UK28 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
rThe place is very small and it is very full of masks. The man in charge was excellent and showed us how it worked, he was very interesting and spent a lot of time with us. The masks are sent all over the world, we have one on our wall.
Written 14 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
poly2210
172 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
It's absolutely brilliant how these artists have used simple raw material from around them, that is , bamboo, river clay, old cloth to fashion these stunning masks.
We were lucky to meet the heads of these satras who showed us how the masks are made, the different stages of mask making. Their passion for their art is evident in their enthusiasm to greet every visitor and help them understand it. The younger generation is also starting to learn the art and it was heartening to see the excitement with which the displayed their creations.
There was so much warmth towards us, we enjoyed every minute we spent there. We even wore some of the masks.
Places like these need encouragement from tourists as well as the government. They are protecting a rare heritage. We bought a few masks to take home.
A visit here is an absolute must.
We were lucky to meet the heads of these satras who showed us how the masks are made, the different stages of mask making. Their passion for their art is evident in their enthusiasm to greet every visitor and help them understand it. The younger generation is also starting to learn the art and it was heartening to see the excitement with which the displayed their creations.
There was so much warmth towards us, we enjoyed every minute we spent there. We even wore some of the masks.
Places like these need encouragement from tourists as well as the government. They are protecting a rare heritage. We bought a few masks to take home.
A visit here is an absolute must.
Written 6 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suresh Kumar
Bengaluru, India2,944 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
MAJULI Island is one of the most wonderful places God created on the earth. It is the world’s largest river island in the Assam state of India.
In Assam, masks play a predominant role in various traditions. They are a medium of creative expression used in different ceremonial performances.The Mask makers,work hard to revive past glory.The masks of Majuli have a uniqueness.They have Roots here,since 16th century,till recently. Despite the highly exaggerated size of the masks, these are quite light in weight.The tradition of mask-making is a hereditary skill passed down from father to son or teacher to students in the Sattras. The materials used for these masks are wood, bamboo, jute, cloth and cane, as these are readily available in Assam. Masks of bamboo and cane follow the structured weaves of basketry, which is a common item in every Assamese household.
The initial form of the masks emerges when bamboo strips are loosely woven together, and joined together into the desired shape of the face. Once the frame is complete, pieces of fine cloth dipped in sticky clay are pasted over it in layers to cover the structure, which is then dried in the sun. When half dry, a mixture of clay and cowdung paste is used to shape the eyes and other features. The ears are usually made of bamboo pieces, which are then stuck on. Later, a smooth piece of bamboo, kordhoni, is used to file the mask and smoothen the surface. The jute or bark of the tree is used for the hair, eyebrows and other accessories.
The mask is now ready to be painted. It takes about 10 to 15 days to complete one mask. Earth and vegetable colours are now being supplemented with chemical dyes. The masks, as a result, look garish but are striking nevertheless.The finish on inside was very smooth, odorless and breathable.
This is what we gathered, at our Trip to this renowned Enterprise.They staged a Mini Dance Drama for us.We felt strong cultural influences.We had a Gala time here trying on different Masks.
Majuli Island is very rich in art and culture.It is the home of the world-famous mask-craft in India, but the art is at present dying due to a lack of artists, and interest and proper preservation,with the alternate forms of entertainment available now.
In Assam, masks play a predominant role in various traditions. They are a medium of creative expression used in different ceremonial performances.The Mask makers,work hard to revive past glory.The masks of Majuli have a uniqueness.They have Roots here,since 16th century,till recently. Despite the highly exaggerated size of the masks, these are quite light in weight.The tradition of mask-making is a hereditary skill passed down from father to son or teacher to students in the Sattras. The materials used for these masks are wood, bamboo, jute, cloth and cane, as these are readily available in Assam. Masks of bamboo and cane follow the structured weaves of basketry, which is a common item in every Assamese household.
The initial form of the masks emerges when bamboo strips are loosely woven together, and joined together into the desired shape of the face. Once the frame is complete, pieces of fine cloth dipped in sticky clay are pasted over it in layers to cover the structure, which is then dried in the sun. When half dry, a mixture of clay and cowdung paste is used to shape the eyes and other features. The ears are usually made of bamboo pieces, which are then stuck on. Later, a smooth piece of bamboo, kordhoni, is used to file the mask and smoothen the surface. The jute or bark of the tree is used for the hair, eyebrows and other accessories.
The mask is now ready to be painted. It takes about 10 to 15 days to complete one mask. Earth and vegetable colours are now being supplemented with chemical dyes. The masks, as a result, look garish but are striking nevertheless.The finish on inside was very smooth, odorless and breathable.
This is what we gathered, at our Trip to this renowned Enterprise.They staged a Mini Dance Drama for us.We felt strong cultural influences.We had a Gala time here trying on different Masks.
Majuli Island is very rich in art and culture.It is the home of the world-famous mask-craft in India, but the art is at present dying due to a lack of artists, and interest and proper preservation,with the alternate forms of entertainment available now.
Written 29 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GowriNK
Bengaluru, India140 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
We visited the home of the mask makers of Majuli - Kushal Kant Dev Goswami, a Sangeet Kala Akademi award winning artist and his sons who are following the tradition.
The masks are made of a bamboo frame on which is pasted grey river mud, coated with cow dung and then painted. The hair is made of coir, hay and other naturally available materials as far as possible. The artisans take care to ensure that each mask has a distinct face - for instance, Hanuman, Sugreeva & Vaali are all monkey kings, but each has been given features that are distinct and delightful.
Some of the masks are made so skillfully that when you wear them and move your jaws, the mask's jaws move too!
The artist and his family are very hospitable and friendly, and you end up staying and talking for hours. They are very proud to host international visitors and show you visitor comments left by people of different nationalities!
The masks are not cheap - they range from Rs 500 for the smaller ones (the size of a regular wall clock) to Rs 2000 for the large ones. But given how much effort and imagination goes into the creation of each, they are worth buying as true souvenirs of Majuli.
The masks are made of a bamboo frame on which is pasted grey river mud, coated with cow dung and then painted. The hair is made of coir, hay and other naturally available materials as far as possible. The artisans take care to ensure that each mask has a distinct face - for instance, Hanuman, Sugreeva & Vaali are all monkey kings, but each has been given features that are distinct and delightful.
Some of the masks are made so skillfully that when you wear them and move your jaws, the mask's jaws move too!
The artist and his family are very hospitable and friendly, and you end up staying and talking for hours. They are very proud to host international visitors and show you visitor comments left by people of different nationalities!
The masks are not cheap - they range from Rs 500 for the smaller ones (the size of a regular wall clock) to Rs 2000 for the large ones. But given how much effort and imagination goes into the creation of each, they are worth buying as true souvenirs of Majuli.
Written 9 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Satya P
New Delhi, India376 contributions
Dec 2014 • Business
Had a assignment in Majuli in Assam. Worlds largest River Island - in River Brahmaputara.
Was also taken to see mask making. Didnt know that they could be so good. But sad that there are very few buyers for them and very little has been written or shown on these masks.
For years ‘mukha’ or masks used to be confined mostly to Assam’s traditional Vaishnavite theatre or ‘Mukha Bhaona’, but now a master artist in Majuli is promoting it globally as a work of art.
It was in Majuli, the repository of Vaishnav cultural heritage and art forms in Assam, that mask-making had its roots and thrived since 16th century till recently.
Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Hem Chandra Goswami of Chamaguri Sattra has been working to revive its past glory and make them available for tourists in smaller and convenient forms. “The traditional masks of Majuli are big in size and though light, people find it inconvenient to carry it back with them.
Therefore we have decided to make smaller versions so that tourists from abroad and other parts of the country take them back with them,” he said. Chamaguri Sattra was famed for the traditional craft of mask-making, which was by and large a hereditary skill, but over the years it became a dying art form with local youths displaying apathy towards it.
The masks, which usually take 10 to 15 days to make, are made from locally available materials like bamboo, cane, cloth, clay and vegetable dyes.
I really enjoyed watching Mr. Goswami and his colleagues work the masks are amazing and I truly pray they reach all over India and the World.
Was also taken to see mask making. Didnt know that they could be so good. But sad that there are very few buyers for them and very little has been written or shown on these masks.
For years ‘mukha’ or masks used to be confined mostly to Assam’s traditional Vaishnavite theatre or ‘Mukha Bhaona’, but now a master artist in Majuli is promoting it globally as a work of art.
It was in Majuli, the repository of Vaishnav cultural heritage and art forms in Assam, that mask-making had its roots and thrived since 16th century till recently.
Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Hem Chandra Goswami of Chamaguri Sattra has been working to revive its past glory and make them available for tourists in smaller and convenient forms. “The traditional masks of Majuli are big in size and though light, people find it inconvenient to carry it back with them.
Therefore we have decided to make smaller versions so that tourists from abroad and other parts of the country take them back with them,” he said. Chamaguri Sattra was famed for the traditional craft of mask-making, which was by and large a hereditary skill, but over the years it became a dying art form with local youths displaying apathy towards it.
The masks, which usually take 10 to 15 days to make, are made from locally available materials like bamboo, cane, cloth, clay and vegetable dyes.
I really enjoyed watching Mr. Goswami and his colleagues work the masks are amazing and I truly pray they reach all over India and the World.
Written 21 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Engineer Bhushan
Patna, India32 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Good place for people who wants to preserve our own Traditional art.Fabalous indian art being Preserved Since the yr 1500.Young generation are being trained free of cost in this art by a Guru totally devoted for this ancient art
Written 23 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hirak Jyoti Roy
Guwahati, India259 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Here all the things are so pure that you will hardly believe that all those masks were purely hand made. The beauty of the artisans can be seen in the masks. Its really a very beautiful place and all should come once for visit.
Written 21 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saibal Chowdhury
Guwahati, India6 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
Beautiful art form of mask making at Samaguri Satra is truly mesmerising to say the least. Used actually for theatrical performances of mythological characters, these can be purchased as a beautiful piece of souvenir which can be used smartly as modern day home decor. It's a bit costly, but worth it due to its very bright colours and artistry. I could have a lot of pictures too which would remain as memoirs with me.
Written 28 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is Aug-Sep the right time to visit Majuli??
Written 11 June 2017
Hi, I agree....with a high river I think it is even better to arrive and go by the ferry, because the river is higher. It is easer to reach the shore villages.
Written 12 June 2017
Dhritiman B
Guwahati, India
2 contributions
Absolutely....
Written 20 October 2018
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