Shanker Thapa's Cultural and Folk Masks of Nepal PPT

The Masks of NepalThe Masks of Nepal

Dr Shanker ThapaDr Shanker ThapaAssociate ProfessorAssociate Professor

Central Department of HistoryCentral Department of History

Tribhuvan UniversityTribhuvan University

Kirtipur, KathmanduKirtipur, Kathmandu

NepalNepal

Presented by

WELCOME TOWELCOME TONEPALESE MASKS NEPALESE MASKS

SHOWSHOW

THE MASKS OF THE MASKS OF NEPALNEPAL

Ethnic Ethnic Folk Folk

CulturalCulturalReligiousReligious

DeityDeityDemonsDemonsGhostsGhostsShamanShaman

RitualRitualExorcistExorcist Bhairav

CULTURAL, religiousCULTURAL, religious && FOLK MASKS FromFOLK MASKS From

NEPALNEPAL

Dr. SHANKER Dr. SHANKER THAPATHAPAAssociate ProfessorTRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITYKATHMANDU, [email protected]

Presented byPresented by

Dr. Shanker ThapaAssociate Professor

Central Department of HistoryTribhuvan University

Kathmandu Nepal

Phone : + 977-1-6611470

+ 977- 9841495721 [email protected]

Political Map of NepalPolitical Map of Nepal

Spatial Distribution of Ethnic Communities Spatial Distribution of Ethnic Communities

Gurung

Pahadi CastesBrahmin, Kshetriya, and

Dalit,

Kiranti, Rai, Limbu

Newar

Other Castes

Tamang

Bhotia, Sherpa, Thakali

Ethnicity and Mask PossessionEthnicity and Mask Possession

The ethnic and caste groups who developed the culture of mask were the agrarian groups. They include –

- - Newar, Magar, Gurung, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa Newar, Magar, Gurung, Rai, Limbu, Sherpa and other Himalayan people of Tibetan and other Himalayan people of Tibetan origin. origin.

-- Tharu and other Tarai communities.Tharu and other Tarai communities.- Shaman practitioners of all ethnic groupsShaman practitioners of all ethnic groups- Hindus, Buddhists and folk religious groupsHindus, Buddhists and folk religious groups- Tantrics, Exorcists and other practitioners.Tantrics, Exorcists and other practitioners.

Ethnicity, Mask and Mask DancesEthnicity, Mask and Mask Dances

Various kinds of Hindu and Buddhist mask Various kinds of Hindu and Buddhist mask dances are performed as part of religion.dances are performed as part of religion.

The rules of ritual are strictly followed.The rules of ritual are strictly followed. Ethnic mask dances, which are rich in Ethnic mask dances, which are rich in

content and spectacular.content and spectacular. Demonic masks are used in various folk Demonic masks are used in various folk

dances and open air theater.dances and open air theater.

Typology ofTypology of NEPALI MASKS NEPALI MASKS

Religious MasksReligious Masks Folk MasksFolk Masks Deity MasksDeity Masks Ethnic MasksEthnic Masks Cultural MasksCultural Masks

Dance Drama MasksDance Drama Masks Exorcist MasksExorcist Masks Festival MasksFestival Masks Ritual MasksRitual Masks Shaman MasksShaman Masks

Mask Properties

Masks are made of >Masks are made of >MetalMetal

[[Brass, Copper, Iron]

Terracotta Terracotta WoodWoodPaperPaper

LeavesLeavesClothClothStrawStrawPaintPaint

AESTHETIC OFAESTHETIC OF NEPALI MASKSNEPALI MASKS

Very rich tradition of ‘Mask culture and Very rich tradition of ‘Mask culture and heritage.heritage.

Several hundred types of masks exist.Several hundred types of masks exist. Lively cultural roles and religious as Lively cultural roles and religious as

well as folk significance.well as folk significance. Ethnic diversity led to develop varied Ethnic diversity led to develop varied

forms of masks with diverse features.forms of masks with diverse features.

Aesthetic of Nepali Masks contd. . . .Aesthetic of Nepali Masks contd. . . .

Most ethnic groups have indigenous masks Most ethnic groups have indigenous masks culture, which they perform in specified culture, which they perform in specified days round the year.days round the year.

Nepali masks are religious, folk, cultural, Nepali masks are religious, folk, cultural, festival, Shaman and exorcist.festival, Shaman and exorcist.

Ethnic features are visible in designs and Ethnic features are visible in designs and expressions.expressions.

Aesthetic of Nepali Masks contd.Aesthetic of Nepali Masks contd. . . . . ..

Masks are colourful or without colour Masks are colourful or without colour or one colour mostly black.or one colour mostly black.

Masks reflect the world view and Masks reflect the world view and identity of the group.identity of the group.

Used in festivals, ceremonies, worship, Used in festivals, ceremonies, worship, practices etc. practices etc.

Aesthetic of Nepali Masks contd. . . .Aesthetic of Nepali Masks contd. . . ...

Spectacular with profound iconography, Spectacular with profound iconography, pattern, expression and role assigned so pattern, expression and role assigned so far.far.

Patterns and performances reflect cultural Patterns and performances reflect cultural

uniqueness and ethnic identity.uniqueness and ethnic identity.

The Masks of GodThe Masks of God

God Mahakala of Tantric Buddhism

The Masks of GodThe Masks of God

Ganesha - The God of Auspicious Moments

The Masks of GodsThe Masks of Gods

MahakalMask of Hindu Deities


Tibetan style Mahakala popular among the Himalayan Buddhists in Nepal


Masks of GodsMasks of Gods

Newar Mask Varaha





Shiva

Indra

Varahi


Shiva from Tarai

Wooden Mahakal


Wooden Bhairab

Hindu Deity in serene posture

Mahakal with Naga crown


Makar: The Crocodile

Hindu Deity - Varaha

Bhairava

Masked Dance of the Mother GoddessMasked Dance of the Mother Goddess

Dance of the Divinely Mother –NAVADURGA who is one of the nine Powerful Mother Goddess. Location Bhaktapur

Mask DancesMask Dances

Mask DancesMask Dances

Ethnic and Folk MasksEthnic and Folk MasksFrom NepalFrom Nepal

Masks from the Masks from the

NEWAR

C O M M U N I T Y

The Newar MasksThe Newar Masks

Newar Shaman MaskOther worldly

demonic creatures

Newar MasksNewar Masks

Supernatural characters


Demonic Character

Tiger

Lion Mask


Gorgon Lakhe

Newar Folk MaskNewar Folk Mask

The Demonic character of Newar culture & world view

Newar Folk MasksNewar Folk Masks

Folk Masks from different Newar communities


Monpa Mask


Folk Masks from different Newar communities


Drama and other Characters


Humorous Character Mask

Newar Wooden MasksNewar Wooden Masks


Newar Festival Maskof Bhairav

Newar Noble man An old lady

Newar MaskNewar Mask

Mask of a Hero

Newar Cultural MasksNewar Cultural Masks

Actors in Festivals and other celebrations



A rare Newar Tantric MaskA rare Newar Tantric Mask

Masks from Tarai Masks from Tarai Mixed EthnicityMixed Ethnicity

Rajbanshi Pig mask

Tharu mask Jatayu: The Mythological Vulture from the Ramayana

Masks from Tarai Masks from Tarai

Tarai tiger mask

Masks from TaraiMasks from Tarai

Elephant mask tarai


Tharu monkey maskThe Monkey king


Faces of Hanuman : famous Monkey God of The Hindus

Jatayu- a Character from Ramayana

The monkey characters


Tribal Mask


Hanuman mask T arai



Mask of Ten headed Ravana and Hanuman








Pig mask of a Tarai caste

Monkey mask from Tarai


Tharu humerous Tharu Younglady


Tharu Monkey Tharu Goiter

Tharu Headman

Two Famous Masks from Humla and Two Famous Masks from Humla and JumlaJumla

Mask from Humla

Mask from Jumla

Himalayan Masks

Himalaya-Raksha-Longo-Mask

Himalayan Mask

Western Nepal Himalayan MaskWestern Nepal Himalayan Mask

Pema Jungne NyikarHimalayan Wooden Tribal Mask

Himalayan MaskHimalayan Mask

Himalayan Black Mask

Masks of the Middle Hill peopleMasks of the Middle Hill people

Masks of the Middle Hill peopleMasks of the Middle Hill people

Shaman Masks from Midland hill

Gurung MasksGurung Masks

Gurung MasksGurung Masks

Magar MasksMagar Masks

Thakali Mask Thakali Mask Western Mid HimalayaWestern Mid Himalaya

Magar MasksMagar Masks

Masks from middle hillsMasks from middle hills

Tribal Masks from the hillsTribal Masks from the hills

tribal masks of Nepal

Mask - West Nepal

Mask - West Nepal

Midland Hill MasksMidland Hill Masks

Masks from the hillsMasks from the hills

Tribal Masks of hillsTribal Masks of hills

Nepali masks at Rubin Museum

Demons and Ghosts Middle HillsDemons and Ghosts Middle Hills


Ghost

Local demons

Demons and GhostsDemons and Ghosts


Dr. Shanker ThapaDr. Shanker ThapaProfessorProfessorTribhuvan UniversityTribhuvan UniversityKathmandu, NEPALKathmandu, [email protected]; [email protected]

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Shanker Thapa's Cultural and Folk Masks of Nepal PPT