Mukha Shilpa Assam
Raw materials used for mask making are obtained from locally available materials. The mask makers take pride in their use of eco-friendly materials. The mask makers use their hands for most of the work supplemented with a few tools like:
• Knives, both to split the bamboo and for making it into strips.
• Spatula to sculpt the mask, both bamboo and metal spatulas are used.
• Bamboo, among the locally available bamboos Jati bamboo (Bambusa tulda) is considered suitable for the making the frame of the mask.
• Cow Dung : It is mixed with clay for elasticity.
• Cotton cloth : Strips of cotton clothes, dipped in clay-water mixture is used to cover the frame.
• Clay : It is the basic raw material.
• Brushes : It is used to paint masks.
• Kerosene: It is used for the protection of cow dung and clay mixture against bugs and worms.
• Kuhila (Aeschynonene indica), a locally available shrub species.
• Colours: Natural and organic colours are used for painting masks.
