Bronze mask of Kundor Chamundi used in the Theyyam ritual. Theyyam is a performative ritual of North Kerala, often invoking the goddesses Bhagwati and Chamundi. This spectacular ritual was introduced to me by Santhosh @travelkannur.com . A long weekend well spent, trying to understand the intricacies of this ancient and complex ritual. Thank you Santhosh, for your hospitality, explanations, for identifying this mask and for the photograph of the actual performance using a similar mask. The last photograph is from a ritual that we saw in Kannur. #masksofindia #indianfolkmasks #indianfolktheatre #travelkannur #theyam
Masks come alive when you see them in actual use! At the Black Crane Festival at Gangtey, Bhutan. The festival is held every year to commemorate the arrival of the migratory Black Cranes from Tibet. @masksofbhutan #masksofindia #buddhistmaska #monastorymasks #chamdance #indianfolktheatre #himalayanmasks
Ganesh mask, Khele performance, Konkan region of Maharashtra.
We pray to the one with a single tusk and a twisted trunk. May the ever-curved Lord inspire and enlighten our mind.
#masksifindia #indianfolkmasks #indianfolktheatre #konkanculture
Ganesh Mask from the Khele performance of the Konkan region of Maharashtra. “He is the God of Beginnings and Remover of obstacles…”
#masksofindia #indianfolkmasks #indianfolktheatre #indiantribalmasks #konkanculture #indianmasks
Ganesh Mask, Khele performance, Konkan Coast, Maharashtra.
The first part of the Khele performance is called Ganachay Naman, a prayer to Ganesh. Here is my prayer to Lord Ganesh, remover of all obstacles, to pray for an auspicious start to the festivities.
#masksofindia #indianfolkmasks #indianfolktheatre #konkaniculture #Khele #indiantribalmasks
Skull Masks, A Burning House and the Cycle of Life – thoughts on coming home from Australia.
During my recent trip to Australia, I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Esson @mike_esson_collection , an artist and an art educator. Mike has long been interested in the skeletal structure of the human face. This has led to a passion for collecting masks of skulls. He now has probably the largest collection of Himalayan skull masks, also known as Citi Pati masks. He has published a catalogue of his collection and is recognised as an authority on the subject.
In Buddhist lore, the Citi Pati are spirits of ascetics who were beheaded while in deep meditation. These spirits live on to guard against ghouls and ghosts who might deter the faithful from their virtuous practices. Monks wearing these masks are frequently a part of Cham dances and the Citi Pati are the subject of many thangkas.
At a philosophical level, the depiction and worship of skulls is a reminder of impermanence and renunciation. “Life is nothing but a continuing dance of birth and death, a dance of change….the sound of impermanence…. death’s pulses, death’s heartbeat, prompting us to let go of all things that we cling to…” (Sogyal Rimpoche).
After a spectacular time in Australia, I have come home to my worldly possessions that I cling to and cannot seem to shake off. This includes a painting by V N Aji hanging on my wall, depicting a burning house by a river. Continued in comments
Kummattikali mask, painted wood, North Kerala. Kummati is a masked-performance in the form of a procession through the towns of North Kerala during the Onam festival. Clad in braided grass and leaf costumes, their faces covered with masks, the performers make their way through the town collecting money for the local temple. #masksofindia #indianfolkmasks #indiantribalmasks #indianfolktheatre #keralafolktheatre #kummattikali #kummati #keralafolkdance #indianmaskcollection #keralaheritage
The Dwarkadhish Temple at Kalbadevi, built in 1875 was a prominent structure which was a feature in most books on Old Bombay, as well as a popular subject for postcards. To mark 150 years of the temple, the trustees, the Jaitha Family, commissioned a restoration of the temple. Sensitively restored by @dhrutivaidyadesign , the temple played host to the Tailang Brothers, who performed Haveli sangeet in this resplendent structure last week. #bombay #historicalbombay #kalbadevi #dwarkadhish #vaishnavtemple #bombayheritage #oldbombay #bombayhistory #krishnatemple
Bronze mask of a Devi, Theyyam tradition of North Kerala. Theyyam is a spectacular ritual practiced in Kerala, where gods and goddesses are invoked by performers to bless, guide and exorcise. This Devi may represent one of the hundreds of Theyams(the word being a corrupted form of Daivam) which are worshipped through elaborately adorned ceremonies. #masksofindia #indiantribalmasks indianfolkmaska #indianfolktheatre #keralatheyam #theyyam #keralafilktheatre
