GUWAHATI: Gauhati University (GU) has decided to welcome President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday with a specially-crafted traditional mask from Majuli.The President will visit GU to attend a civic reception organized by the university with support from the Assam government. A senior official of GU said President Kovind will be felicitated with a traditional mask made by the eminent artist Hem Chandra Goswami from Chamaguri Sattra."For years, 'mukha' or masks were confined mostly to Assam's traditional theatre, Mukha Bhaona. But famous mask-making artist Goswami has taken a pioneering role in promoting it globally. He has been trying to popularize the art of mask-making among the youngsters to preserve the unique identity of Assam. It's an honour for the GU fraternity that we are going to present the mask in the form of a Garuda to the President," a senior official of GU told TOI on Saturday.The masks from Majuli, which are primarily made by using bamboo and cane, have been propagated since the days of Srimanta Sankardeva, a 15th century saint-scholar, socio-religious reformer and playwright who spearheaded the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam."We are hopeful that the mask will get attention at the national level as the GU event will be highlighted all across the country," the official added.

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