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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.

Greek and Roman masks are not as thoroughly understood as the masks in Indian theater because of records and the amount the masks were used. (YOU START WELL WITH THE PREVIOUS SENTENCE UNTIL YOU GET TO THE END OF IT THEN THINGS FALL APART. YOU MIGHT BETTER HAVE SAID "WE HAVE ACTUAL EXAMPLES OF INDIAN MASKS FROM WHICH TO MAKE JUDGMENTS BUT THERE ARE NO SURVIVING EXAMPLES OF MASKS FROM GREECE OR ROME BY WHICH THEY MAY BE COMPARED, EXCEPT FOR THOSE RENDERED ON VASE PAINTINGS, SMALL SCULPTURAL FIGURES, AND ON MOSAICS FROM POMPEII....) The masks in both cultures have been used for religious performances. In the Greek Commedia (THERE DOES NOT BE SUCH A THING AS GREEK COMMEDIA) the masks were simple tie-on masks that were used to convey a specific emotion or character, like the old Dad or the jokester. The masks were meant for the audience and were open mouthed to allow for projection. In contrast Indian masks were more elaborate masks, sometimes being full faced, helmet masks with multiple faces and elaborate headdresses.  The Greeks rarely performed their plays and thus the masks were rarely used. Sometimes the shows would only occur once a year to honor their God Dionysus and they would be performing for 20,000 people. The Indian cultures, on the other hand, have many different regions where plays are performed and many different styles of masks are used. In the Bengal state Purulia Chhau has over 500 companies that perform, all of which are tribal people. In The Guruvayur Temple the Krsnanattam is performed every day of the year, and it’s the only place where it is performed. Similarly both the Greek and the Indian cultures have used their masks in religious performances. The Greeks honored their God of wine and fertility, Dionysus. The Indian cultures use their performances to tell stories about their gods, like the life of Lord Krishna. The Greeks and Romans and the Indian cultures have used masks throughout their history. The many differences are prevalent in style and knowledge, but the cultures share similarities in the use as religious performances.

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