Panjurli Mask

DESCRIPTION

Bhuta Masks are considered sacred and are an important part of Bhuta Kola, a ritual dance performance prevalent among the Hindus of Tulu Nadu and other parts of Karnataka, India. The term Bhuta Kola refers to spirit play in Tulu. Male performers participating in Bhuta Kola event wear similar masks and clad their torsos with breastplates, in addition to elaborate headgear, ornaments, and body paint.

Panjurli in Tulu language means a wild boar offspring and the term Bhuta refers to spirit. This Panjurli mask depicts the head of a boar with distinctive features including two large tushes on either side, protruding eyes and an extended snout which is decorated with two small ornamental bands. Serpent heads adorn the boar to form a halo. The head is decorated with vertical beaded ornamentation which also encircles the head with a half-moon shaped motif on the forehead. The dark hue of this vintage tarnished brass Bhuta Mask adds to it?s quaintness.