CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Subject: Demon Head Mask. This a demon head mask made of papier-mâché. Masks are an important part of Odisha’s culture. In Puri, they are used for sahijatra which means street theater. The folk theater probably originated as a show of strength during Mughal invasion when people chose to participate in masks. Demonic masks like these are hung at the entrance of the home to ward off evil spirits and ill luck. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. The craft is said to have been introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Demon Head Mask. This a demon head mask made of papier-mâché. Masks are an important part of Odisha’s culture. In Puri, they are used for sahijatra which means street theater. The folk theater probably originated as a show of strength during Mughal invasion when people chose to participate in masks. Demonic masks like these are hung at the entrance of the home to ward off evil spirits and ill luck. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. The craft is said to have been introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Devimukha Mask. This is a Devimukha mask made with papier-mâché. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. The craft is said to have been introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish. Masks of many shapes, forms and sizes are a part of Odisha’s culture. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Kali Mask. This is a Kali mask made with papier-mâché. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. The craft is said to have been introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish. Masks of many shapes, forms and sizes are a part of Odisha’s culture. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Garuda Mask. This is a mask of Garuda, the bird like creature that is the vahana (vehicle mount) of Lord Vishnu. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. The craft is said to have been introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of Papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish. Masks of many shapes, forms and sizes are a part of Odisha’s culture. In Puri, they are used for sahijatra which means street theater. The folk theater probably originated as a show of strength during Mughal invasion when people chose to participate in masks.

Subject: Garuda Mask. This is a mask of Garuda, the bird like creature that is the vahana (vehicle mount) of Lord Vishnu. Papier-mâché is a French word for chewed paper. The craft is said to have been introduced during the Mughal reign. The surface of Papier-mâché produces an ideal ground for painting, which is probably the reason the craft became popular in Odisha with its traditional pattachitra painters. This art in Odisha uses a fusion of paper, cloth rags and straw. It is pulped by hand after softening with water. Additives like multani mitti are added to the pulp as an adhesive and for providing a textured finish. Masks of many shapes, forms and sizes are a part of Odisha’s culture. In Puri, they are used for sahijatra which means street theater. The folk theater probably originated as a show of strength during Mughal invasion when people chose to participate in masks.

Subject: String puppet (Man). This is a puppet of a man with a carved wooden head and body. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.

Subject: String puppet (Man). This is a puppet modelled as a man. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.

Subject: String puppet (Man & Lady). These are string puppets modelled as a man and a woman. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.

Subject: Raja Besha Mukha Mask. This is a mask of raja besha mukha (king's head) made in papier-mâché. Masks of many shapes, forms and sizes are a part of Odisha’s culture. In Puri, they are used for sahijatra which means street theater. The folk theater probably originated as a show of strength during Mughal invasion when people chose to participate in masks. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Doll (Man). This is a doll of a man painted and carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Doll (Man). This is a doll of a man painted and carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Doll (Woman). This is a doll of a woman painted and carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Doll (Woman). This is a doll of a woman painted and carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Man Playing Been. This is a painted wooden doll of a man playing a been. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Man Playing Been. This is a painted wooden doll of a man playing a been. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. Back view of the object. This object has been procured by State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC) Show House.

Subject: Lady with a Child. This is a painted figurine of a lady with a child carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.

Subject: Lady with a Child. This is a painted figurine of a lady with a child carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. Back view of the object.

Subject: Man in a Long Tunic. This is a sculpture of a man in a long tunic carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.

Subject: Man in a Long Tunic. This is a sculpture of a man in a long tunic carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. Back view of the object.

Subject: Man playing Been. This is a painted wooden doll of a man playing a been. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.

Subject: Man playing Been. This is a painted wooden doll of a man playing a been. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used. Back view of the object.

Subject: Lady with a Child. This is a painted figurine of a lady with a child carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.

Subject: Lady with a Child. This is a painted figurine of a lady with a child carved in wood. An essential part of growing up in Odisha is toys, dolls, puppets and masks from wood. These toys are richly colored and developed in a stylized form. Often, gambhari or beech wood, the local wood is used for the carvings as it has a fine texture and is light-cream color though other woods may also be used.