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Popular Indian mask
Tamil Nadu, India
different sizes, papier
mache
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Q:
I saw this mask throughout Tamil Nadu, India. There were several
that I did not photograph. The features, dark mustache,
earrings, shiva stripes, fangs and horn, tongue with scorpion,
and wild eyes all seem to be from a tradition of fanged demons
throughout Southern Asia and Indonesia. I think this character
may be related to an asura like Duryodhana, Ravana or
Mahishasura. Perhaps it is intended to ward off evil and is
placed on buildings and construction sites. Julian, 6-6-10 13 |
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A:
I've tried a number
of sources and am unable to indentify this. If someone out there
can help, I will post the answer. |
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This mask you see often in
Tamil Nadu has nothing to do with any historical or mythological Indian
character , it is purely to evade evil eye. Mostly you see it outside
the buildings and houses (constructing and constructed). The idea is if
someone appreciates particular building or house, mostly it would be out
of envy after appreciating the building, therefore X,Y,Z will notice
this particular MASK and the evil eye is taken care off ; is the belief
either they have this mask hung or paint the similar figure on a Pumpkin
or have an equivalent to SCARE CROW model.
Sundar, 5-19-11
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