Design Resource
Mukha Shilpa Assam
Traditional Art of Mask Making
by
Stage 2
Cow-dung and clay is mixed together to prepare mixture of ratio 4:1. This mixture is used to sculpt the mask. Addition of kerosene to the dung-clay mixture is a very crucial for the protection of this mixture against bugs and worms. Kerosene, 3%-4% of weight of the mixture should be added. Mixture is then applied to the dried frame using hands and bamboo spatulas to give the mask its desired shape. Once it dries up, the mask is again coated with another layer of cotton cloth for a smoother finish.
It is necessary for the mask to dry up perfectly before proceeding to the next steps, therefore a good amount of sunlight or any other heat source is required. This stage usually takes one or two days. During the rainy season when there is no sufficient sunlight, it is highly likely for the cow dung to catch worms and bugs. When this happens, the cow dung tends to come off of the mask. No immediate cure is used to overcome the problem, and is not resolved unless the affected area is cleaned and a fresh batch of dung-clay mixture is made and applied.
