Design Resource
Masks of Raghurajpur
Papier-Mache and Cowdung Masks
by
Papier-mache
Paper, waste cloth and different kinds of natural fibers are soaked and then beaten into pulp. This forms the skeleton of any mask. To get these to stick together, a gum is made with ‘imli ka beej’ (tamarind seeds) by heating the powder (of crushed seeds) in water. This gum also gives the mask strength and protects it from termites. Layers of paper pulp are coated over the die (or sample mask) to give the desired shape. This is then left to dry in the sun.
