Atsara (old man) mask from Bhutan, Ugyen silverling handicraft

The Atsara is an integral part of many Bhutanese festivals. Primarily an agent of mirth and merriment, the red-faced comical characters are generally thought of as clowns, wielding phalluses at tshechu festivals. The Atsara character, however, is more than just entertainment. The Atsara combines the spirits of the sacred and the profane, wit and wisdom, humour and responsibility. He uses his pranks to help his audiences not only to forget their worries and problems but also to prod them to overcome their sense of self-importance, hypocrisy and false propriety. The Atsara character embodies personality traits of openness, jocularity and spontaneity. As the festival ground is largely escapist, allowing those assembled to suspend their woes and worries, the Atsara reminds people to overcome unnecessary hang-ups and inhibitions, and open themselves more fully to the festival experience. His character is that of a liberated spirit, which has transcended the dualistic apprehension of likes a