The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal, displays beautiful collection of masks from different parts of the country. A few among these collections are the full-sized complete masks representing the characters from the great Hindu Epics.
These masks come from the Majuli island of Assam. Majuli lies in the mid of the mighty river Brahmaputra in Assam. It is the largest river island in the world.
This river island is the preaching center of the Vaishnavas where good number of Satras (Vaishnav Monastries) is instituted by the most revered saint Mahapurush Shrimanta Sankardeva in the 13th Century AD.
In this beautiful island, a grand celebration of the Ankiya Bhavana (folk theatre) commenced every year where a large number of Bhagatas (monks) from the Satras assemble to showcase their dance forms, folk theatre, art and crafts for the general public. In this congregation the unique life size masks of different mythological characters find a place to get animated with a profound plays of Natya (theatre).
The masks include life size portrayal of the epic characters like the Ravana, Meghnath, Kumbhakarna, Gaduda, Narashimha and many other demonic masks of the Krishna Leela played during the performances.
We normally see the expression of characters by wearing masks which only covers the human faces. But, the majestic Bhavana masks shows unique construction skillfully made by a frame of cane which are hollow inside. It marks the gigantic representation of a complete body structured in a way that a person can inter inside the mask and play the character.
Two small holes in front of the body is wisely prepared that the player can see from inside and lift to operate the head, hands and legs. When a player conceals himself inside the mask and operates the body of the huge mask; it gives a pleasing sight of the play to the audience.