JORHAT, Oct 28 - Renowned traditional mask-making artiste Hemchandra Goswami of Samaguri Satra in Majuli has urged the upcoming generation to delve into the realm of the rich cultural treasure trove of the State.
Goswami was delivering the Professor Nirmal Goswami Memorial Lecture demonstration programme organised by the Asom Sattriya Sangeet Mahavidyalay at Rajabari here in association with the Satriya Kendra of Guwahati, under the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
The topic of the lecture was �Bhaona Mukha (mask), its Evolution and Application�.
Late Nirmal Goswami, a former Professor of Jagannath Barooah College here was the founder-Principal of the Asom Sattriya Sangeet Mahavidyalay and contributed to the promotion and preservation of Satriya culture.
�Much is known about Western literature and culture across the globe, similarly the art and culture pioneered by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva is a vast treasure house which too has the quality and substance to draw attention globally..... Our new generation should try to fathom deep into the fine arts created by the great saint,� Hemchandra Goswami observed.
The renowned artiste, accompanied by a group of his associate artistes, gave a detailed presentation on the traditional art of mask making with live demonstration.
After narrating about the origin of the art developed by Sankaradeva and its evolution and practices thereafter in the satras, Goswami spoke about the process of mask-making while his associates demonstrated.
The process of mask-making begins with creating a three-dimensional bamboo framework for the face. As part of the presentation, Goswami enacted a bhaona scene.
Goswami said that masks made by him have been highly appreciated by British Museum officials and have been exhibited in the museum in London. He said as traditional masks are made of organic material which do not affect the environment, it added to the value of the item.
Earlier, the Director of Dr Bhupen Hazarika Centre for Studies in Performing Arts of the Dibrugarh University Dr Jyoti Prasad Saikia inaugurated the programme.
The ceremonial lamp of the function was lit by Diptimoyee Goswami, wife of Late Nirmal Goswami, while the president of the Vidyalaya�s governing body, Indrajit Kumar Barua, who is also a retired Secretary of the State Government, presented the welcome address.
Prabhat Mahanta, a former Professor of Jagannath Barooah College here, gave a brief description of Professor Nirmal Goswami�s life and his personal association with Late Goswami.
