The face mold of a man named Ram from Rajmahal, Jharkhand, is a momentous cultural object representing the Santhal tribe, one of the largest and oldest tribal communities of India. It is made in the form of an oval metallic casting with Ram's face distinctly portrayed, with facial hair-a moustache and a full beard-giving it a very natural and dignified look. His name and locality have been inscribed on the upper part of the mold, giving it a personal and locational identity to this commemorative object. Santhal tribes mainly found in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar
Although traditionally the Santhal were opposed to the use of human likenesses, recent trends toward sculpting and casting could reflect changing modes of remembrance of their ancestors and social tribute. This face mask of Ram would have served memorial purposes, possibly placed in a home or community setting to remember and honor the dead. The prominent features, including the beard and moustache, bear signs of esteem, and/or perhaps some social or familial status within the tribe. The permanence of the chosen metal indicates the Santhal belief in sustaining memories through real entities. Such artifacts thus record the lives of individuals but also testify to the artistic abilities and cultural perceptions of the Santhal people in the broader context of their identity and evolving traditions.