SHERGAON, Oct 15: A three-day 2nd edition of traditional mask-making workshop, organized by wildlife researcher Tripti Shukla as part of her Vanwasi Aadiwasi initiative to revive indigenous crafts and conducted in collaboration with local NGO Garung Thuk with support of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Royal Enfield, concluded at Garung Thuk Community Library here on Tuesday. .
The event attracted participants from nearby villages of Jigaon, Morshing and Shergaon, who were eager to learn the art of traditional wood mask-making and preserve their cultural heritage. Resource person Pema Tashi of Morshing village, sole artist of this region, guided them in the intricate craft. The initiative aims to preserve these traditional skills passed down by future generations from fading away.
The workshop last year attempted to make human faces mask for initial learning, but this year the theme was tiger. All participants were trained to make tiger mask used for pantomime dance by Sherdukpens, said Guru Pem Tashi, who was overwhelmed by participation of many young people and expressed his confidence that this art will survive.
Tawang DC S. Kundu, SSB 73rd battalion assistant commandant Jitendra Kumar Sharma, Morshing village Tanpe Droma Museum curator Rinchin Norbu Grangchidar and Shergaon Village Council member Sang Norbu Thungon were special guest.
As the guests distributed certificate to the trainee, DC Kundu expressed his satisfaction on keen interest of young people.
Trainee Ledo Thungon said that he was so happy to learn the art and hoped to continue polishing this art. Garung Thuk deputy chairman Dorjee K Thungon said that his NGO would strive to felicitate more such workshop in future to keep the art alive. He hinted about a plan to take the team to forest for identification of log required for mask making, according to a release.
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