Coastal Karnataka (Bhuta culture)
Wood, polychromed
An attractive, large painted wooden standing tiger. This figure, displaying the typical folk bhuta style of coastal Karnataka, is painted yellow, red, and black. It has a stylised form with a large, almost cat-like head, rounded ears, an open mouth with prominent teeth, a protruding tongue, a collar around the neck, and a striped, upturned tail.
The bhuta tradition is popular on the Malabar coast. Bounded by the dramatic sweep of the forested ghats to the east and the Arabian sea to the west, and encircled by rivers, the South Kanara district of coastal Karnataka has enjoyed relative geographic isolation until recent years. Pillichamundi is a name composed of “Pili” (tiger in Tulu language) and “Chamundi”, a ferocious form of the Hindu Divine Mother. As for Pillichamundi, the totemic origin of this bhuta is very probable as the jungles of Karnataka hosted a big population of tigers which used to feed themselves with the neighbouring cattle.
Size (cms): 78(H) x 146(W) x 38(D)
Size (inches): 30.5(H) x 57.5(W) x 15(D)
