·       Originating from Majuli, the largest river island in the world and the hub of Assam’s neo-Vaishnavite tradition, mask-making has been practiced since the 16th century.

·       These handmade masks are primarily used in bhaonas, which are theatrical performances conveying devotional messages under the neo-Vaishnavite tradition introduced by Srimanta Sankardeva.

·       The masks portray a variety of characters including gods, goddesses, demons, animals, and birds, such as Ravana, Garuda, Narasimha, Hanuman, Varaha, and Surpanakha.

·       They range in size from face masks (mukh mukha) to full head and body masks (cho mukha), taking different durations to create.

·       Materials used for making the masks include bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, wood, and others found in the riverine surroundings of the artisans.

·       The tradition of mask-making is closely associated with the sattras, or monasteries, which are centres of religious, social, and cultural reform in Assam. Majuli houses 22 sattras, with the practice concentrated in four of them.

·       While traditionally used for bhaonas, efforts have been made to expand the use of masks by incorporating them into various contemporary contexts such as gifting, tourism, exhibitions, and galleries.

·       Additionally, Majuli manuscript painting, another art form originating from the 16th century and practiced on manuscripts made from the bark of the sanchi or agar tree, also received a GI tag.

·       Majuli manuscript painting is patronized by the Ahom kings and continues to be practiced in every sattra in Majuli.