NDLI: Rabankata Mask

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Rabankata Mask

Content Provider	IGNCA - Man and Mask
Description	Rabankata, a masked dance is performed at Bishnupur in the Bankura District of West Bengal. The masked dance is believed to have been introduced sometime between 1626 and 1658 under Raghunath Malladev, the 51st king of the Malla dynasty. Performed once a year near the Raghunath Jeu temple, three episodes from Ramayana are enacted on three consecutive nights after Vijaya Dasami. These relate to the beheading of Indrajit and Kumbhakarana on the first two nights and the killing of Ravana on the third night. Of the six masks that are used, Ravana and Indrajit/Kumbhakarna are kept in the Raghunath Jeu temple (Indrajit and Kumbhakarana deploying the same mask, which is held up by hand during performance). The masks of Ravana's ten heads is placed on a large trunk prepared with clay and thatch. Neither of these masks are worn. The remaining four masks of Hanuman, Sugrib, Janbhuban and Bibhisan are worn in performance and are kept in their own homes by dancers from the few families believed to have been selected by the King of Bishnupur. There are no openings for the eyes in the masks of Hanuman, Sugrib and Jambhuban . The masks, however, are so fitted on the face that the dancer can see through the mouth of the mask. The existing masks are believed to about 200 years old and are repainted by the Patua every year before the Rabankata festival.
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Ancient Human Practice Anthropology Anthropomorphic Art Work Art History Bankura District of West Bengal Bishnupur Ceremonies and Practices Decorative Mask Disguise Drama Theraphy Indrajit Jambuban Kumbhakarna Malla Museum Object Ornamentation Patua Performance Performing Art Raghunath Jeu Raghunath Malladev Ramayana Ravana Ritual Mask Sculpture Sugriva Vijaya Dasami
Content Type	Image Text
Resource Type	Visual Artwork

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