A royal king mask and a blue Shiva mask

Artisan visibility

Preservation must also sustain the people who make it possible.

Sattriya masks are made by a small number of families, many on the river island of Majuli, who carry knowledge passed down for generations. Rising costs and shrinking demand put this craft at risk. The Index pairs documentation with public profiles, workshop records, commission opportunities, and institutional introductions.

How makers are supported

Documented

Interviews, photography, and video record each maker's techniques and story.

Profiled

Public profiles showcase workshops, signature masks, and lineage.

Commissioned

Clear pathways connect makers with buyers, theatres, and collectors.

Recognised

Introductions to museums, schools, and cultural centres.

Who benefits

Artisans

Visibility, commissions, and institutional recognition

Museums

Reliable exhibition material and verified cultural context

Schools

Accessible learning resources on Assamese heritage

Public

A clear path into the stories, symbols, and craft

Two Jatayu masks drying in an artisan's workshop