The story
Charida village grew as the mask-making centre for Purulia's Chhau dance, made popular under the patronage of the Baghmundi royal family. Masks are built from layers of paper and clay over a mould, then painted and decorated for dancers playing gods and demons. Purulia Chau Mask is GI-registered, and Chhau dance is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
In numbers
Around 500 people from 310 families in Charida are directly engaged in the craft, and 85% of Charida's artisans depend on it as their primary livelihood.
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GI tag
- Purulia Chau MaskApplication no. Application No. 565Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
Ways in for a newcomer
- Sell masks to décor stores, hotels and tourists online
- Workshops and craft tourism stays in Charida
- Commissioned masks for theatre and festivals
Problems the cluster faces
- Seasonal demand tied to the dance season
- Middlemen taking most of the margin
- Fragile products that are costly to ship
Businesses to start here
Online Folk Art and Art Gallery Marketplace →Rural Tourism Village Stay →Community-Based Village Tourism →