New Delhi: Majuli, the largest river island in the world, is situated in the Northeast Indian state of Assam. The place is home to Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture, started in the 15th-16th century by saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva and his ardent disciple Madhavdeva. In this river island, there are around 22 active satras or Vaishnavite monasteries, which are the biggest attraction to experience cultural diversity and beauty. Among many such satras is the Samaguri Satra. This monastery brought Majuli to the limelight for its famous mask-making art.
Used in theatre performances such as Raas Leela and Bhaona, the remarkable masks were even exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The mask-making technique involves making a three-dimensional bamboo framework onto which clay-dipped pieces of cloth are plastered. After drying it, a mix of clay and cow dung is layered on it. This helps to add detail and give depth to the mask. Jute fibres and water hyacinth are used for beards, moustaches and hair. Once the mask is complete, a kordhoni or bamboo file is used to burnish the mask. And finally, drama is added to the masks with deft painting. The mask-makers of Majuli prefer using vegetable dyes and colours derived from hengul or red and hentul or yellow stones.
Different masks on display at Samaguri Satra in Majuli (Picture credit: Instagram)
Reasons to visit Samaguri Satra
Exploring Samaguri Satra offers a first-hand experience about the 500-year-old tradition of mask-making and a chance to meet the artisans, and to understand its deep significance to the island’s spiritual and artistic heritage.
1. Witness world-famous mask-making tradition
The satra is a hub for the traditional Assamese art of making masks, known as mukha. The masks are meticulously handcrafted from natural materials like bamboo and clay and used in bhaonas or traditional dramas to portray characters from ancient Hindu scriptures like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The masks are known for their creativity and expressive features, which sometimes include moving jaws and eyelids.
2. Meet renowned mask-making artists
Artists making unique masks at Samaguri Satra in Majuli (Picture credit: Instagram)
You can meet and enjoy a heart-to-heart conversation with the artists, including the Satradhikar or head of the monastery, and watch them create these spectacular masks. They are known for patiently explaining the elaborate process and the tales behind the characters they portray.
3. Discover a living cultural heritage
The satra is one of the Vaishnavite monasteries set up by the 15th-century saint Srimanta Sankardeva, who used art and drama to spread and highlight spiritual teachings. By visiting, you are participating in a living cultural custom that has been passed down through generations.
4. Buy a unique souvenir
The satra sells its handcrafted masks, which range from miniature, decorative pieces to larger, more elaborate ones. This provides visitors with a unique and meaningful souvenir while also supporting the local artisans and helping to keep the art form alive.
5. Experience the cultural hub of Assam
Majuli itself is considered the heartland of Assamese Neo-Vaishnavite culture, and the satras are the centre of it all. Exploring Samaguri provides deeper insight into the spiritual practices, art forms, and cultural life that make Majuli such a special destination.
6. Watch a demonstration of bhaona
If you are fortunate, you may get a chance to watch a quick demonstration of bhaona, where an artist brings a mythological character to life simply by wearing one of the handcrafted masks. For a more immersive experience, consider visiting Majuli during the Raas festival in November, when the bhaona performances are a major event.
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana bind the Indian people together. The vibrant and colourful masks depicting characters from such ancient Hindu scriptures will certainly leave you spellbound. Don’t forget to include Samaguri Satra in the bucket list if you visit Assam.