((PKG)) MANGOLIAN MASK MAKER
((Banner: Preserving Art and Culture))
((Reporter/Camera: June Soh))
((Map: Arlington, Virginia))
((NATS))
((Gankhuyag Natsag, Mask Maker))
When I create the mask, it takes time. During that time, I am thinking about Buddhist philosophy. It gives me meditation, inspiration, and a peaceful life.
((NATS))
((Gankhuyag Natsag, Mask Maker))
My name is Gankhuyag Natsag. I am making traditional Mongolian ritual Tsam dance masks.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
And I was born in Mongolia. I came to the United States in 2002.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
I made first the Old White Man’s mask in 1997. Then I decided to build 108 pieces of masks.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
It took me 10 years and I completed in 2007 the all ritual 108 Tsam dance masks.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
It was danced in Mongolia since 1811 till 1937. Just before World War II, the Soviet Union came to Mongolia and they made some Red Revolution. That means they destroyed more than 800 temples, including lots of Buddhist objects. A lot of masks were destroyed during that time.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
Then I really wanted to recreate the 108 Tsam (masks). Each mask represents own character and roles.
((NATS))
((Gankhuyag Natsag, Mask Maker))
(For) example, the Old White Man is giving people long life, very knowledgeable, (has) wisdom and teaching people. When I wear the mask, when I am dancing, I am trying to tell that story through my movements and dancing.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
While I was making the masks during these 10 years, my family members and some of our friends helped me to create the 108 masks’ costumes including some of the parts.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
My mother was a very famous seamstress and also my father was a very artistic person. I learned from, a lot from them.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
Myself, I studied in art school.
((NATS))
When I make masks, I use papier-mache. Making the mask is not easy. It is a very complicated job. It takes time and sitting and making the mask, I think about the character of that mask peacefully inside.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
I created the Khan Bogd Ensemble, which is a dance-music group. We performed in many places, more than 50 countries in the world, traveling mostly festivals and theaters and museums.
((Photo courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
((NATS))
((Gankhuyag Natsag, Mask Maker))
I would like to introduce Mongolian culture all over the world through my art, through my masks and that's one of my biggest goals.
((NATS))
((Gankhuyag Natsag, Mask Maker))
Beside my mask projects, I have a dream project, which is named World Peace Pagoda. I am lucky that they got the land in Mongolia and have started our project. I wish to build in the Washington, DC area (too).
((NATS))
((Gankhuyag Natsag, Mask Maker))
If people are enjoyable and peaceful in themselves, our world will be peaceful. That is based on the Buddhist philosophy. For our needs, for everyone’s needs, because our world is unique, only the home for us.
((Video Courtesy: Gankhuyag Natsag))
((NATS))
