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//**Identify some of the similarities and differences between masks in Indian genres of performance and those used in ancient Greece and Rome.**//

(THIS IS RATHER THOROUGH AND GOOD. I REALIZE THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE EXPANDED IT, HAD YOU THE ROOM BUT YOU DID TOUCH ON IMPORTANT MATTERS. ONE MIGHT CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE INDIAN MASKS LAY A GREAT DEAL IF EMPHASIS ON DEMONIC CHARACTERS AND GODS UNLIKE THE GREEK WHICH SEEM TO BE FOCUSED ON HUMANS, EVEN IF DISTORTED IN COMEDIES.) While the masks of the ancient Greek and Roman theater no longer exist, their documentation in both art and text allows us to make comparisons with modern masked drama found in India.

The Greco-Roman theater used only full-face masks, and while the majority of masked Indian performance also uses full face masks, there are variations such as the partial face beak mask of Garuda in the Krsnanattam style (Richmond handout 1/25/11). Indian drama also uses makeup to create a mask-like look, while there is no evidence that Greek or Roman drama used makeup.

Construction of the masks of both cultures is similar, though with a wider array of techniques in Indian drama. The Greco-Roman masks were most likely carved of wood, supported by the lack of surviving examples. Many Indian masks are also carved of wood, though other methods are used such as the clay-over-cloth masks of the Seraikella Chhau tradition (Richmond handout 1/25/11). Both cultures also use stock mask styles to portray specific characters. In Greek and Roman drama there were about 28 stock character types, while in Indian drama masks often reflect the Gods-for example the elephant head of Ganesh or the 4 faces of Brahma the Creator (Richmond lecture 1/23/12).

One distinct difference between Greco-Roman and Indian masks is that Greek masks were likely worn solely for the benefit of the audience, while Indian masks often have a deeper religious or spiritual significance for both audience and wearer. In the Bhagavada Mela one performer spends days in meditation wearing the mask of Narasimha before portraying the role in a yearly festival (Richmond lecture 1/25/12).

The mask traditions of ancient Greece and Rome and modern India have many similiarities for such diverse cultures.

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