Gajanan Mask – DPCM 12232

The idol also has his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi sitting on his lap and its stomach is not too wide as compared to the other Ganesha idols. He then started worshipping Ganesha. With his blessings, he could finally defeat the demons. Hence the place is called Siddhatek and Lord Ganesha is called Siddhivinayak.

As the product is handmade, it might have slight irregularities of shape and colour which is a natural outcome of human involvement.

The mask used in the Chhau dance of Purulia is mainly for mythological characters such as Mahishasur-Mardini, Rama-Sita, the fight between Rama and Ravana, etc. Sometimes small Santhal couple masks are used. Mostly made of paper pulp and clay, Chhau masks are often huge in size but not heavy since the performers wear them during the show. The clay molds are first hand-made and dried in the sun known as ‘mati gora’. They are then layered with powdered ashes. Masks could also represent the shaman’s spiritual helpers, which he would try to influence in times of need. Sometimes hung in houses to ward off harmful spirits. Masks were also occasionally placed with the dead or used in non-spiritual contexts for popular entertainment.
Chau masks are made from paper pulp, cloth, and clay and undergo many interim processes before taking the final form. First, a clay model of a mask is made and dried in direct sunlight to make it hard. It is then covered with powdered ash and layers of papers moistened with gum are pasted on this powdered mask.