Exploring the symbolism of masks - Presentation and Workshop

New Acropolis Pune invites you to participate in our Arts day celebrations. This week we will be celebrating the importance of Arts as a universal language which brings people together and cultivates human values through search for beauty and meaning. We will be exploring our theme ‘ Unity through Diversity’ through various activities related to theatre music singing poetry which will be conducted by our member volunteers. 

On 21st June we invite you for a presentation and workshop specially curated for you to explore the symbolism behind masks.

Masks are widely used in performing arts. Have we ever wondered about its deeper meaning? 

Whether it is theatre dance rituals or sacred ceremonies - masks has served as symbols across civilisations that conceal the mystery that is man. In Balinese tradition masks took on a sacred meaning where the dancer or performer had to undergo a purification process before wearing the mask ceremonially. In theatre ‘masks’ help the actor get into character. In certain African tribes masks were used to help communicate with ancestral spirits. In Ancient Egypt it is said that masks briefly helped the priests to temporarily embody the quality of the deity which they were trying to depict. In today’s times we sometimes interpret it as pretending to be someone we are not.

What is the mask made of? In Latin the word ‘ persona’ means mask. We all carry different personalities i.e. different ‘masks’ as we engage in this stage called life. May be masks invite us to engage with the philosophical question 'Who am I who is wearing the mask?'