Papier Mache of Uttar Pradesh

Papier Mâché is practised by sticking mould of wet paper strips together with glue into a huge hollow statute. The craftsmen are also known as Prajapati who are potters by caste. The pulp is cast in terracotta moulds, and then joined and dried or moulded freehand. During Durga Puja and Dussehra ceremonies idols are made using this skill. The head of the statue or idol is either made from clay or from a papier-mâché base coated with clay. Depending upon the shape of the head the mould is either an earthen pot or a tiny drum. For little children gaily painted horse are sold at village fairs and along with other toys. The items are used for religious ceremonies, marriages and village entertainment programmes. In villages women pulp newspaper and multani mitti (fuller’s earth), to make containers for the kitchen and masks for children. Metal utensils are used to make moulds. Hammer, knife and scissors are some of the tools used. Now day’s realistic papier mâché figures are made for various exhibitions.