From the Land of the Rajas: Creativity in Rajasthan

From the Land of the Rajas:

Creativity in Rajasthan

Ritual Masks of the Bhil Tribe

Masks are relatively rare in India; more often, the human face is transformed through paint. Commonly made of papier-mâché, masks may be used in ritual performance as well as theater. They are generally more popular in eastern and southern India, but in Rajasthan, their most important use is in the Gavari, a sacred folk drama of the Bhil people.

The Bhils are the largest tribal group in Rajasthan (40 % of Rajasthan’s tribal population). Famed for their skills with a bow (bil), they were valued by the Rajputs for their aid in warfare. As they identify themselves as Hindus, their masked dance dramas incorporate Hindu rituals, myths, and deities into localized religious practices.

Puppets

Henna prints

Religious Paintings