Costume, Makeup and Masks
What the exam tests
You must distinguish maskless from masked presentation, identify materials and colour conventions, and connect costume choices to character and movement.
Mayurbhanj: maskless presentation
Mayurbhanj Chhow relies on makeup and facial expression. Costume typically includes a dhoti, a upper garment, a pleated cloth worn across the body, and a turban or headgear. Pleats emphasise turns and leaps. Colours and ornaments follow the character: deities, demons and heroes are distinguished by palette and emblem.
Masked styles: Seraikella and Purulia
Masks are made of papier-mâché over a clay or cloth base, then painted. Seraikella masks are smaller and finely modelled, supporting lyrical movement. Purulia masks are larger and boldly coloured, matching acrobatic presentation. Masks are tied with cloth and restrict peripheral vision, so dancers rehearse sightlines and spacing.
Worked example
Question: 'A Mayurbhanj production of Mahishasura-mardini uses masks for Durga and the demon.' True or false? Reasoning: Mayurbhanj is the maskless school; expression is carried by the face, eyes and makeup. A mask would block mukhabhinaya and contradict the style. Answer: false; masks belong to Seraikella and Purulia.
Traps
- Claiming all Chhow is masked.
- Saying masks are carved from wood; papier-mâché is standard.
- Ignoring colour coding and character emblems.
- Forgetting that masks limit vision and change staging.