Ramlila Mask: Lord Hanuman

Rare, paper mache mask of lord Hanuman, from Northern India probably Rajasthan. 

Circa late 19th or early 20th century.

Ramlila (Rāmlīlā) (literally 'Rama’s lila or play') is any dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Rama according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana or secondary literature based on it such as the Ramcharitmanas.

The Ram Lila originated in northern India in the sixteenth century in connection with religious devotion to Ram, the divine protagonist of the epic Ramayana.  In the sixteenth century, the poet-saint Tulsidas composed a colloquial Hindi version of the Ramayana, which he titled Ramcharitmanas, “The Lake of Ram’s Deeds”.

The Ramlila festivities were declared by UNESCO as one of the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" in 2008. 

Please check the image of the art work prior to making your purchase, all the significant flaws such as tear marks, watermarks, stains or pinholes are noticeable in image, some less noticeable changes due to age and period can be enquired through mail.