It is the Purulia form only that uses large evocative masks along with elaborate costumes that intensify the energetic performance, despite the challenges to physicalization.

[3] The babu category includes masks for chiefly male gods like Narayana, Ganesha, Kartik, Krishna, Shiva, etc.

Tiger, buffalo, monkey heroes like Bali and Sugriva from the epic Ramayana fall under the category of animal masks.

The masks are made “according to his or her facial measurements by their trusted craftsmen, who work in close collaboration with the troupes”, Mukherjee adds.

[9] According to Tsubaki and Richmond, the style of mask-making bears a similarity to the Krishna Nagar School of Painting that had its origins in the Nadia district of West Bengal during the 18th Centuries.

[10] The performance masks are full-face, and covers almost the parietal bone to the base of the back skull which allows for an improved stability especially when halos strung of wire are added around the headgear.

The wire frames on the headgear are embellished using coloured beads, sequins, confetti, etc., to evoke the image of the imposing gods and goddesses, grotesque demons, or specific animals which the masks portray.

The Goddesses are mostly pink, and have prominent feminine jewelries such as nose rings, earrings, and vermillion marks drawn on their foreheads.

The demons usually are shown with fierce eyes fitting with their monstrous features and their faces are painted in black, green or other dark colours.

In recent past, masks of Marvel comic characters such as Green Goblin, Sylvester Stallone, or Wolverine have been created by artists, and these are particularly popular among the non-chhau buyers.

[14] The clay used for mask-making is sourced from alluvial soil from neighbouring farms, while hair and animal manes are made using jute or acrylic wool.

Paint, wire, the sequins, shiny stars, leaves and other decorative items come from the wholesale markets of Kolkata in large quantities.

Older masks being sold from the artisan’s collection undergoes what is called polishing: that is the artists add colour to spruce them up.

For example: in 2017, when the New Star Chhau Dance Group went to perform in Maharashtra, they had commissioned tricolour masks which resembled the Indian flag from Charida artist Manoranjan Sutradhar.

[9] Charida, located in the Baghmundi block of Purulia, is the centre of making Chhau masks, where nearly every residence along the street becomes a workshop simultaneously.

[3] The place has been designated as the Bengal government’s Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles, in association with UNESCO.

While for the final decorations tinsel, glass beads, zari , plastic flowers, feathers, strips of coloured jute for hair, etc.

[3] Gambhir Singh Mura (1930–2002), who was awarded the Padma Shri, brought the name and recognition to the art form for the first time.