Lord Ram Papier Mâché Mask

Bring alive the mythological stories of Lord Rama with traditional Odia handicrafts from the deepest corners of Odisha. This small, green coloured mask with tiny details that will amplify the positive vibes at your home. This is created in Pattachitra style Papier Mache craft. 
 
Known locally in Odisha as ‘Mukha Chitra’, Papier Mache is a craft of colours and technique. It is made from paper pulp mixed with different natural materials. To create a papier mache artefact, the artist first carves and sculpts the same with clay and sets it out to dry. After having dried the dummy, many layers of paper strips and pieces are glued to it. After the core, and the paper bit is dried, they take out the clay dummy inside, and cover it with a layer of limestone or chalk powder to colour it white. Once the coating is done and dried, the artist adds colours and finishing to it giving it a brilliant shiny look. While there are several decorations made from Papier Mache technique, the most popular ones are masks that the locals wear during folk dance performances. 
 
Bibhu Maharana is a traditional Pattachitra artist from Danda Sahi who has won several accolades and awards for his work. He is trying to keep alive the traditional Gurukul system of learning and propagating the art form. He believes Pattachitra is a divine art form that everyone must know about, and that this art form brings him closer to himself, and the Lord of the Universe, Lord Jagannath. 
 
Raghurajpur and Danda Sahi are two popular crafts villages in close vicinity to each other where the artists have lived for ages. These artists are the finest in their work and create breathtaking artefacts. Their skills are recognized across the globe, and these artisans truly pull us closer to our roots, our land, and our culture.