Majuli Mask Making

Name: Majuli Mask Making
Brand: Majuli Cultural Artisans Samiti

Registry facts for Majuli Mask Making
GI number	GI-28
Typical price	₹1,500 - ₹30,000
Verified cooperatives	Majuli Cultural Artisans Samiti
State	Assam

About Majuli Mask Making

Majuli Mask Making is the craft of creating theatrical masks on Majuli, a large river island in the Brahmaputra in Assam. The masks, made of bamboo, clay and cloth, represent gods, demons, birds and animals and are worn in the devotional plays called bhaona. Some masks are small face pieces, while others are huge structures covering the wearer's whole body.

Heritage and place

The tradition is associated with the satras, the Neo-Vaishnavite monasteries founded by the saint Srimanta Sankardev in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which use drama and dance as part of worship. Satras such as Samaguri became known for their mask makers. The GI gives recognition to the craft and to the monastic and village artisans who preserve it.

How it is made

Makers build a bamboo frame, then cover it with cloth and layers of clay and cow dung mixed to a smooth paste. After drying, the surface is polished and painted with natural colours. Expressions and features are shaped to indicate the character, and moving jaws or beaks are sometimes added. Large masks take days, as the layers must dry in stages.

Registry record

Majuli Mask Making is listed in this catalogue as GI-28, a Geographical Indication tagged product of Assam in the handicrafts category. The name is legally protected: only producers within the notified region may sell under it. Confirm the entry in the official GI Journal before relying on it commercially.

◈ How to spot a fake Majuli Mask Making

What to check

Genuine masks are light for their size because of the bamboo frame, and they show hand-painted detail rather than printed patterns. Ask the maker which character the mask represents and whether it was made in a satra or a village workshop. Buy from Majuli artisans, satra shops or government emporia, and handle carefully, since clay masks can crack if dropped or exposed to damp.

Handmade utilizing bamboo frameworks, local river silt clay, and organic mineral pigments. Commercial imitations are made from papier-mâché or plastic.

Price to expect

Genuine Majuli Mask Making typically sells in the range of ₹1,500 - ₹30,000. Prices far below that range are a common sign of an imitation.

Where to buy

Look for authorised sellers such as Majuli Cultural Artisans Samiti, or government emporia and cooperatives in Assam.

Catalogue record

Catalogue record: GI-28 · Assam · reviewed 2026-10-02

Frequently asked questions

What is the GI registration number of Majuli Mask Making?

This catalogue lists Majuli Mask Making as GI-28. Registration numbers should be confirmed against the official GI Journal before commercial use.

Where is Majuli Mask Making made?

Majuli Mask Making is produced in Assam, in the handicrafts category of this catalogue.

Can Majuli Mask Making legally be made outside Assam?

No. GI protection means only producers within the notified region of Assam may legally sell goods under the name “Majuli Mask Making”.

What does genuine Majuli Mask Making cost?

Genuine Majuli Mask Making typically sells in the range of ₹1,500 - ₹30,000. Prices far below this range are a common sign of an imitation.

How can I spot a fake Majuli Mask Making?

Handmade utilizing bamboo frameworks, local river silt clay, and organic mineral pigments. Commercial imitations are made from papier-mâché or plastic.

Where should I buy genuine Majuli Mask Making?