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Chhau mask project in Purulia by State Govt
The Bengal Government’s achievements in the NREGA Scheme, also known as the 100 Days’ Work Scheme, is well known. The state is the best in the country.
Now the government has decided to add the making of chhau masks in Purulia as a project within the scheme. A pilot project has been started in Lipania village under Para block in Raghunathpur subdivision of the district.
Around 35 women from Lipania have been picked for getting training in the making of the masks. The project is aimed at making women self-reliant.
This project is being implemented by the Panchayats and Rural Development Department. The department seeks to make Lipania village like the famous Charida village in Baghmundi block, famous for the making of chhau masks and for having produced legends like Padmashree award winner, the late Gambhir Singh Mura.
Hence, these women would be taken to Charida village to learn from their more famous counterparts, so that the masks produced are of the same quality.
The State Government would help the women sell their masks and showcase them at the various tourist spots in Purulia district. The masks can be used both during the dance and as home décor.
Recently, the State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO jointly organised a three-day fair of chhau masks at Charida village. The Tourism Department was also involved in the festival. It was highly successful as it attracted a lot of tourists.
Chhau has been recognised by UNESCO through its Cultural Hubs project, jointly undertaken with the State Government following encouragement from none other than Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
