Coastal Karnataka (South India)
brass alloy
A finely detailed Jumadi mask with attractive shape, colour and patina. Well carved features include ovular eyes, a large protruding tongue, moustache a row of teeth and prominent upturned curved ‘fangs’ at the two ends. A teardrop shaped emblem is at the centre of the forehead, possibly representing the third eye. Nine serpent heads dispersed by alternating with upright tapering motifs form a halo around the boar.
This mask comes from the bhuta tradition on the Malabar coast. The bhuta and daiva, local divine or deified beings are highly prevalent in the southern parts of the Kannara district. Though now largely confined to south Kannara, certain areas of north Kannara and even Sri Lanka, bhuta cults once existed all over India under different names and forms. These cults, which are of considerable antiquity, have much in common with those of the yakshas, for instance. Like bhutas, yakshas are a ‘queer blend of what is sublime and mundane, profound and profane.’⠀
Jumadi’s name sanskritized as Dhumavati, is a ferocious aspect of Devi. One origin story Shiva being absorbed into Parvati thus turning them into Jumadi a divine being having the body of a woman and the head of a man. Jumadi faces and kills Dhumasura, a powerful demon and thus becomes a protective god for the Tulu people.
Size(cms): 44.5 (H) x 32 (W) x 12.5 (D)
Size(inches): 17.5 (H) x 12.6 (W) x 5 (D)
