International Mask exhibition

DEHRADUN: Various forms of masks have always been a signifi cant mode of cultural expression as one of the many ways through which people have given voice to their powerful cognitions and most subtle emotions. People, here, have a rare opportunity to get acquainted with this rich art of maskmaking. This exhibition will showcase a collection of 300 fi bre-glass masks, hand-painted by artists from across the country and abroad including US, UK and Italy. The six-day exhibition which began on Friday, is organised by Rural Entrepreneurship for Art and Cultural Heritage (REACH)), which has been playing a signifi cant role in bringing unique forms of art and crafts from across the country. REACH has collaborated with the Nav Siddartha Art group, New Delhi, to present the International Mask Exhibition 2012 with the objective to create a hub of artists, including those in the periphery, and give them a common platform to express them, a spokesman said. According to curator, Asurvedh, a plain fi bre-glass mask was provided to each participating artist to come up with their creative insight. “The result -the artists have painted the entire range of different mediums and practices, genres and concerns of contemporary society,” he said adding that each mask at display, indicated the primary concern of the artist and uppermost in the artist’s mind. Many artists have painted the faces of popular Indian deities like Shiva and Krishna. However, the use of various colours, symbols and styles according to the artist’s own interpretation, has created a unique piece. The mask depicting “trinetra” form of Shivji by Suresh Kumar with multiple colours streaking across the face, the half-veiled face prominently displaying the “peacock feather” associated with on Lord Krishna, painted on the red veil by Kishor Gundigara stand out on this account. In contrast, Nand Katyal’s mask in white, black, grey and golden colours with symbolic “Sahastrar padma” (lotus) at the centre of the skull and Onkar Singh’s Golden face of a happy looking priest leaves an impression for their simple contemporary look. This exclusive collection of masks has already regaled the art lovers at Delhi, Noida and Bhopal earlier and now Dehradun. It would travel to SAARC countries and to Europe as well.