How are masks used in Assamese bhaona performances?

In Assamese culture, masks are integral to bhaonas, which are traditional one-act plays that depict stories from Hindu mythology. These performances are closely associated with satras, which are religious centers and hubs for the performing arts founded by the Vaishnavite reformer Srimanta Sankardev.1

Devotees at these satras are typically skilled in crafting these masks using clay and bamboo. The masks serve as essential elements of the theatrical production, allowing performers to embody various mythological characters during the plays.1