An overview of Mask Making at Khatpar Satra

Abstract

Sivasagar district is a historically important district in Assam. There are many ethnic groups in the area and people of different ethnic groups have built bridges of social, cultural and religious harmony in this place. In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Mahapurusha Sri Sankaradeva pioneered the Neo-Vaishnavism in Assam. He first preached in central and southern Assam and later came to southern Assam. His close associate was his student Madhaveda. Apart from Sankaradeva, Madhavadevas, Damodardevas and Haridevas also preached Vaishnavism in their own way in southern Assam at that time. After Sankaradeva, the Dharmacharyas founded by Banshigopalder, Gopal Ata, Badula Padma Ata, Keshavcharan, Yadumanidev, Purushottam Tagore, Chaturbhuj Tagore, Ai Kankalta etc. took the lead in spreading this neo-Vaishnavism in southern Assam. There are more than seventy satras in Shivsagar at present. These satras have been promoting religion as well as literature, culture. These satras have contributed significantly to the society through songs, nam-prasangas, dances, bhaonas, puppet dances, observances etc. The research book contains details of some of the prominent satras, especially the festivals celebrated at Khatpar Satra. The masks used in the bhaonas created by Sankardev have now gained international acclaim. This is an overview of the heritage of mask art of Khatpar Satra, one of the satras that made this mask art. The names of the ancient treasures preserved in the satras are also mentioned. It is hoped that this discussion will reveal at least some new information about the social and cultural aspects of the Satras in Shivsagar district. This discussion also provides some information on how masks have been used in different parts of the world outside Assam. There are many different types of masks available in the market. Field study methods and various books, histories, charit puthi etc. related to satras have been used to study the subject.