Masks
are used to hide, protect and cover all parts of the face. They are used
for various purposes like protection, concealment, performance and
amusement. Masks are worn also as a part of disguise. Since ancient
times , masks are used for both ceremonial , virtual as well as
practical purposes. Masks make tremendous cultural conversation pieces
in our homes. They are painted with emblematic designs and bright
colors. Some masks have realistic and naturalistic human or animal
features while others provide a monstrous appearance.
Types of Material
Different materials used in making of masks are
- Paper
- Metal
- Shell
- Wood
- Stone
- Grass
- Cloth
- Leather
- Mud
Types
There are different types of masks serving different purposes such as :
- Disguise Mask: It is worn to protect or disguise the
face. Disguise masks shape usually contain animal or human features.
Examples of them are ceremonial masks, theatrical masks, burial and
death masks and festival masks.
- Medicinal Masks: It includes oxygen mask , surgical mask
, face shield and CPR mask or pocket mask serving different
purposes.
- Protective Filter Mask: It is worn by NYPD officers on
the head and face to afford protection to the wearer.
- Sports Mask: It comprises of ski mask , diving mask ,
goalie mask ,wrestling mask and paint ball mask.
- Life Mask: It is a plaster cast of a face used as a
model for making a painting or sculpture.
- Death Mask: It is very popular and taken from the face
of a recently dead person.
- Buccal Mask: It is a mask that covers only the cheeks
and mouth.
- Facial Mask: It is a temporary mask used in cosmetics
and therapy for skin treatment.
- Halloween Mask: This type of mask is very popular in the
western world when the Halloween day is celebrated on 31st October,
every year. A fun festival for all age groups, people attend them in
disguise, wearing halloween masks, especially the ones that are
crafted from pumpkin.
- African Masks: The African masks are widely demanded by
art connoisseurs as they are considered as valued pieces of
decorative art. In fact, they are considered to have certain
ritualistic significance and can drive away evil forces as well as
protect the household.
- Masquerade Mask: This is prevalent in western world and
is now also seen in Indian and other Asian countries where ball
parties are arranged where everyone has to wear masquerade masks, so
that they cannot be recognized at all. These masks need not cover
the entire face. Some of them are designed to cover the eyes only
and are fixed on a stick carried by the wearer.
Purpose of Masks
Masks are the earliest creation of humans to establish a relationship
with, as also replicate and re-create, the outer phenomenal world and
the inner person. It is one's belief that meaning and representation of
masks is different. Masks show and tell about :
- Natural Powers
- Emotions
- Narrative
- Social World
- Celebrations
- Ritual
- Decoration
Popular Regions in India
Masks manufacturing and designing is famous and renowned in Himachal
Pradesh , Orissa , Kerala , Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Popular Masks of the World
- African masks
- Nepal masks
- Tibetan masks
- Japanese masks
- Chinese masks
- Korean masks
- Asian masks
- Indonesian masks
- Native American masks
- German masks etc.
