Abstract
India's extensive and varied mask-making tradition is a reflection of the nation's artistic, religious, and cultural traditions. Traditional masks serve as significant cultural artefacts that represent mythology, spirituality, folklore, and communal identity. They are more than just ornamental items. This essay offers a geographical analysis of traditional Indian masks, looking at their cultural relevance, historical roots, ritualistic uses, and connections to folk theatre and performance traditions. Using locally accessible materials like paper-Mache, wood, clay, bamboo, cloth, and natural fibres, many Indian areas have developed unique mask-making customs that uniquely reflect the ecological and cultural background of the area. In festivals, religious ceremonies, dance forms, and theatrical performances, masks are used to depict gods, demons, animals, heroes, and ancestral spirits. This study examines the symbolism, craftsmanship, and per formative functions of masks in these contexts. Additionally, it emphasises the social roles that masks have in maintaining oral traditions, upholding cultural values, encouraging community involvement, and passing along indigenous knowledge to future generations. The study addresses the problems caused by modernisation, commercialisation, and dwindling artisan groups while highlighting the richness and continuity of India's mask-making traditions through a comparative regional approach. Recognising these customs as important manifestations of India's intangible cultural heritage and creative identity, the study promotes increased recording, preservation, and integration of traditional mask-making into modern art and design education.