Traditional Majuli Masks and Manuscript Painting Receive GI Tag

• 06 Mar 2024

On 4th March, Assam’s traditional Majuli masks and manuscript painting earned Geographical Indication (GI) tags.

Key Points

• Historic Neo-Vaishnavite Tradition: Masks depict characters from neo-Vaishnavite tradition, including gods, demons, animals, and birds. Manuscript painting traces back to 16th-century sanchi pat (manuscript) art.
• Artisanal Mastery: Masks, crafted from bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, and wood, embody artisanal expertise passed down through generations.
• Sattras: Monasteries like Samaguri Sattra preserve and nurture traditional arts, acting as cultural custodians of Majuli's rich heritage.
• Reviving Heritage: Efforts to modernize mask-making aim to sustain artisan livelihoods while adapting to contemporary demands and global markets.
• Cultural Preservation through GI Tag: Recognition via GI tag aids in preserving and promoting regional art forms, ensuring economic viability and cultural continuity.
• Modernization Agenda: Initiatives seek to modernize masks, making them appealing to younger generations and integrating them into contemporary cultural events.
• Sanchi Pat Manuscripts: Majuli manuscript painting, an ancient tradition, involves painting on manuscripts made from the bark of sanchi or agar trees.
• Ahom Patronage: Manuscript painting enjoys a legacy of royal patronage, continuing to thrive in Majuli's monastic communities.