The experience
You'll layer wet newspaper strips over a clay mould in Ashok's cluttered workshop, then spend the afternoon painting your dried mask in the loud colours he uses for Carnival floats. He'll tell you which masks have been in his family's parade lineup for decades while you work.
Why this matters
Papier-mâché masks are central to Goa's Carnival, and hand-built ones are increasingly replaced by plastic imports; workshops like Ashok's keep the parade's original craft alive.
Cultural background
Goa's Carnival, introduced under Portuguese rule and now a major cultural event, relies on papier-mâché masks and figures traditionally built by local artisans in the weeks before the parade.
Meet the practitioner
We're still verifying a practitioner for this experience — check back soon.
Schedule
Morning
Learn pulp preparation and layering technique over a mould
Midday
Dry and trim the base mask
Afternoon
Paint and finish your mask
Difficulty
Easy — no experience needed
Age suitability
6 and up
Gallery
Layering pulp on the mould
Ashok's mask wall
Painting the finished maskPhotographs from this experience will replace these panels once available.
Included
- All papier-mâché materials
- Paints and finishing
- Your painted mask to take home
Not included
- Flights to Goa
- Accommodation
- Personal insurance
Before you arrive
- · Wear old clothes, this gets messy
- · Bring a bag to carry your mask home carefully
- · Allow extra drying time if humidity is high
Frequently asked
Can the mask dry the same day?
We use a fast-drying base layer so most masks are paintable by afternoon.
Is this suitable for young kids?
Yes, children 6 and up enjoy it with light adult help during layering.
What people say
“My daughter still wears her mask around the house months later.”
Renata F. · 5/5
“Ashok's stories about Carnival nights made this more than a craft class.”
Suresh N. · 5/5
Not a sight to see — a practice to enter.