Agentic Aharya: Vibrant masks from South Asia

Abstract

This essay foregrounds visuals of masks and costumes from Chhau and Bhaona performances from South Asia. Using a new materialist lens along with writings on ritual images, it reflects on how these masks and costumes have agency. Referred to as Aharya in the Indian context, the masks and costumes of the case studies straddle a unique position between performative objects, religious objects and everyday decorative objects. This multiple positionality endows the masks and costumes an agency that displaces the traditional subject–object binaries of actor and costume. Highlighting Aharya’s inherent affective and ritual properties and foregrounding the mask-makers’ use of local materials, centuries-old techniques and their skills and creativity to conceptualize masks that work alongside and beyond performances, the visual essay shows how these objects exceed the maker and the performer and reach wider audiences.