MASK -- a
Poetry, a silent language
by Dr. Gautam
Chatterjee
Prof. Michael Meschke a
Member of the Executive Committee of the Union International de la
Marionnette; a director and film maker; author of "In Search of Aesthetics
for the Puppet Theatre" talks to Dr.Gautam Chatterjee at a lunch break
during ‘Mask’ Seminar at New Delhi.

G.C.: Prof. Michael Meschke how do you look at Mask
as a pan-Universal symbol?
M.M: Its not to me a symbol --a truly Universal
instruments of communication meaning that mask by definition an essence of
human expressions and therefore accessible to all.Precisely everyone
understand the language of Mask world over. But mask is a silent language!
G.C.: Mask has remained an integral part of human
expressions at the sacred level. Can you enlighten us about the sacredness
still alive amongst indigenous people of the world.
M.M.: I have not cultivated it anthropologically this
will be better expressed by an Anthropologist! I can say that sacredness
is an integrated heart of all human existence even amongst athiest. We
only don’t know the matter, we are to become more conscious about it.

G.C.: How do you distinguish sacred Mask ritual and
Theatrical expressions of Modern days!
M.M. : I hope that distincion should not be(made) nor
necessarily, neither interesting. Even the most modern theatre has its
roots in sacred rituals I mean in ancient rituals it has its roots. We
should be more aware of this.
G.C.: Will you enlighten us about what goes towards
making a mask--as a reflection and as a vision of man’s inner psyche.
M.M.: Most difficult and most beautiful purpose to say
the most possible with an absolute minimum(effort) example is Japanise
Masks.
To search for the poetry, or comical theme are less
interpreted. The purpose of the mask is to touch and twist your heart with
emotions like compassion, love, deeper joy. I am looking for the poetical
value in the mask. The less of execerations that the mask or makers
imposes on the spectator the more he stimulates this spectator to activate
his own imagination and capacity to cooperate creatively to seeing and
feeling emotions namely life whereas in reality there is no life at all
(in mask).
G.C.: The aesthetic theme of mask at designer’s
level differ widely but Nature and Natural power remains their core sector
for inspirations and imaginations. How do you look at it Prof. Mischke?
M.M: The mask is an artificial product of man’s skill
and imagination and also the opposite to the nature. In fact. Goethe said
"art begins where nature stops". So you make a mask natural then there is
no purposes! There has to be difference and that difference mostly is the
work of stylization.
G.C.: Tell us something about traditional
mask-makers and material used thereof. Is there any direct reference with
their geographical settings? How do you look at the changes coming into
the material...I mean the influence of modern world?
M.M.: I hate the kind of cultural imperialism exercised
by the West to impose rationalization methods and methodologies for
example the wonderful Marionnette Company of Africa who make wonder mask
and the strings to those puppets are made of coconut hamper.But under
western influence they were changed into nylon strips.
The more genuine material you have from your cultural
and geographical setting the more you enrich global heritage. The key to
success is understanding and practising of the differences as opposed to
equalizing and standardization. More variations are better.
In our country Sweden lot of refugees come and merge
into our culture loosing its own roots. Now we in Sweden make young
imigrants to create their own home puppet theatre which is better than the
western Donald Duck shows.
In the context of material pure cotton and silks are
being replaced by nylons and synthetics.... I do not say stick to anything
primitive everybody has to develop and accept modernity. The variety of
material used traditionally are better for cultural enrichments. (Prof.Meschke
meant that again the roots and cultural nuances should not be deleted
completely. Furthermore he gave a simily to understand the world cultural
scenario and voiced for protection of people’s own rich cultural
heritage).
In the modern context developed countries are pumping
money to the developing world and on the other hand ‘culturally rich’
developing country are pumping ‘culture’ into the ‘culturally poor’
developed world! (Here Prof. Mischke is driving home the idea of
maintaining one’s own roots and heritage against the western onslaught)
G.C.: Sir You are advisor to the IGNCA’s
ethnographic collection of masks!Will you elaborate your role to create
this unique collection?
M.M.: I merely tried to materialise very deep and the
holistic concept of Dr. Kapila Vatsayayan and to transform the idea into
exhibition was done by Dadi Padamjee.
I have also borrowed 20 odd greek puppets which are
shown in this Mask exhibition.
I am also permanant Consultant for the National Stage
Puppet which will be errected by IGNCA where different puppets from all
over India will be shown. And over the stage a slogan will be written
"Tradition is a continuous creation in the now". This slogan was coined by
Prof. S.C. Mallik, my friend here.
G.C.: Now in Modern days Mask makers are again
coming to the forefront is it cultural revivalism will you say something
from the standpoint of Sweden?
M.M.: To such an extent that ‘mask-poor’ country like
Sweden recently installed a special professor Chair for Mask and Puppets
at the National Dramatic Institute for Training of artists! Moreover, the
country has sent three delegates to attend this Seminar which shows the
revivalism!
G.C.: What’s your message to the world who sport the
pseudo and cosmetic mask at the very behavioural level!
M.M.: Off WITH THE MASKS! Then the world would be a
better place to live in!
