Mukhota : The World of Masks

We hosted and curated Mukhota: The World of Masks that brought to the audience of Kolkata, for the very first time, a selection from Anupama and Lt. General Anil Chauhan’s collection of over 200 unique masks, including Mayan Masks (Mexico), Colombina Masks (Italy), Bamana Ntomo Masks (Mali), Jatayu Masks (Majuli), Lono Masks (Hawaii), and Rakshasa Masks (Sri Lanka) among others. For the convenience of viewers, we had segregated these masks into three geographic categories—Masks from Africa, India, and the Rest of the World. Though each mask was unique, a closer look revealed that they fall into iconographic groups. Most strong masks, such as tribal masks, Naga masks, Sikkim lama masks, masks of gods, goddesses and spirits reflected the integral relationships of icon, mask, and movement interlaced with a performative ritual and the imprint of specific aesthetic and cultural considerations. For instance, one could witness in the exhibition the predominantly red Mahakala masks not only from India but also from Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet, that bear the somewhat similar wrathful look with angry round eyes and gaping mouths, adorned with comparable headgears encrusted with menacing skulls. So, are they the same? We encouraged our audience to find their own answers and interpretations. We also encouraged them to attend the special talk series with subject experts if they wished to find out these and other answers. Besides the myths and stories of the particular regions, the materials used in the masks also told us about the geographical reality and aesthetic sensibilities of the place and how these have changed over time. For instance, when one looks at the Maasai and Matata Masks from Kenya and studies them closely, the exquisite motifs of faunae carved on wood and painted with earthy colours create a vivid image of these African nations and their people. Or for that matter, a look at the deceptively simple Eskimo Mask from Alaska, carved on driftwood without any paint on them, reveals through its modest materiality and humble making yet another landscape and culture. Since the collection consisted of masks from all over the world, it was only natural that at first glance, these visually distinct masks of various colours, shapes, and sizes, might reflect the diversity of our cultural beliefs, differences in religious and ritualistic idiosyncrasies across continents and within our own country. But as we engage with them from close quarters, it becomes evident that there lies in them a common thread of humanity and lived experience familiar and known to us all. Between securing our borders and chalking out military strategies, ‘masked’ amidst masks and yet hiding in plain sight, was also Anupama and Anil Chauhan’s inspiring story of collecting masks, laden with valuable insights and fascinating anecdotes. We hope that this exhibition provided the Kolkatans with a singular opportunity to traverse and learn more about the world and about one’s own country through their engagement with the masks.

Exhibition Dates - 11th to 18th April, 2021

Exhibition opening Time -  11:00 - 18:00 Hrs (IST)

Curated By - Ms. Reena Dewan, Director, Kolkata Centre for Creativity