ANIMATING CULTURAL ABSENCE: A POETIC JOURNEY OF REVIVAL THROUGH THE CHHAU MASK TRADITION

Abstract

This thesis explores the role of poetic animation in reviving intangible cultural heritage, focusing on the symbolic and spiritual dimensions of the traditional Chhau mask from eastern India. The Dream of the Mask is a hand-drawn animated short film that uses metaphor, atmosphere, and memory to narrate the journey of a forgotten mask lying dormant in an abandoned theatre. Through a surreal dreamscape, the mask confronts its loss of identity and gradually reawakens to colour, rhythm, and spirit; culminating in its rediscovery by a child who embodies innocence, curiosity, and continuity. The research adopts a practice-based methodology combining primary fieldwork, semi-structured interviews, visual documentation, and literature review. Visual metaphors such as stitched forests, embroidered clouds, and a red memory thread are employed to reflect layered meanings of loss, transformation, and rebirth. The poetic narration becomes a narrative spine, guiding the viewer through themes of impermanence, tradition, and revival. This thesis argues that animation can act not merely as a medium of storytelling, but as a contemporary ritual, one capable of restoring lost cultural meaning through sensory, emotional, and symbolic engagement. By blending traditional motifs with experimental animation, the project positions itself as both an artistic expression and a cultural intervention.