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Of masks and men

12 December 2006, 18:00 PM
LIFESTYLE
By Fayza Haq
12 December 2006, 18:00 PM
Masks by Konok Kumar Pathak (L) and Sandip Kumer Debnath (R), sketch for a mask by Saidul Haque Juise (C)
"Masks have been there for centuries," says Saidul Haque Juisse, a renowned maker of masks, based in Dhaka. They have been there for religious reasons and for the purpose of toys for children in Africa, China, India and the Middle Eastern countries, he says. They have been there in Europe too. Even the collectors of honey in the Sunderbans wore masks when they went to their work, he says. In "jatra" and plays, puppets and masks were prevalent in countries for centuries in places such as Uzbekistan and Australia, he adds.

"Mask making is an ancient art and imitates or distorts the faces of man or animals. Even though we have a different culture there need not be hesitation to go back to it to enrich our life as during Pahela Boishak, he says.

Masks attracted him since his childhood and when he joined the Institute of Fine Arts and made masks for Pahela Baishak. He also learnt to make puppets and masks with Mustafa Monwar. "My masks have forms and colours that are typically Bangladeshi. My masks were influenced by the study of world art but I never wanted to copy anything. I've used sand, saw dust, and hand made paper folding, over which I've put synthetic colours. Masks are something light and have to be made out of delicate materials and not stone or iron. It must also pertain to the culture of my country," says Juisse.

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Juisse has had a solo exhibition of masks at the La Galerie, Banani; and he recently took part in a group mask exhibition, at Gallery Kaya .

The buyers for masks are both locals and foreigners. They are used as wall hangings and for performing arts. He has a few people whom he employs to help him.

Speaking about world famous masks Juisse says that the master craftsmen of Tlaxcala create some of Mexico's best wooden lacquer work which are realistic and are use for many different local dance performances. The most common of these is that of the "Dance of the Dandies" and "The Umbrella Salesmen". He says," They have an unusually smooth finish that distinguish them. They also have remarkable glass eyes and lashes"

Another rather humorous mask, informs Juisse, is the one used in "The Dance of the Little Old Man" which is also from Mexico. One wonders, he adds furthermore -- on the side -- why the old and feeble at whom the pageant is aimed at don't protest, However, he adds that these masks are cute and enduring, as is the tradition of these particular masks. The unique masks from Guetamala, Juisse continues, are the authentic one used in "The Dance of the Christians and Moors" which are collectors' items.

"The painted wood masks, used in Guanajuato, Mexico," the master sculptor says in conclusion, " are the wooden painted mask, used in 'The Dance of the Painted Bull', which is a fine example of Mexican whimsical art. One can go on ad lib about masks, given the opportunity."