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Dancer's Headpiece in the Form of a Panjurli Bhuta (boar spirit deity), 18th century Creator: Unknown
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Dancer's Headpiece in the Form of a Panjurli Bhuta (boar spirit deity), 18th century Creator: Unknown
Dancer's Headpiece in the Form of a Panjurli Bhuta (boar spirit deity), 18th century. Created in the southwestern coastal region of India (modern Kerala) for ritual use in dance festivals propitiating and honouring the local tutelary spirit deities (bhuta). Hundreds of these elaborate community celebrations, called Dharmanema festivals, are held every year between February and May to venerate the regional pantheon of over 350 spirit deities. The boar spirit deity (Panjurli), one of the most powerful and important Genii Loci, is said to be born of the forest and is thus particularly revered in this lush tropical region. He is also responsible for upholding righteousness through his identification as a manifestation of Vishnu, the supreme Hindu god of preservation and social order. This religious correlation is expressed by Panjurli's visual similarity to Varaha, the boar-headed avatar of Vishnu. Dancers headpieces and masks from Kerala are fashioned in a wide variety of iconographic forms and local artistic styles. They are typically quite large in size, and made in one of three primary media: wood, papier-mache, and bronze/copper alloy. This headpiece is a tour de force of the genre because of its superb artistic quality, pronounced facial modelling, and complex ornamentation
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Media ID 36368345
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This stunning 18th century print showcases a dancer's headpiece in the form of the Panjurli Bhuta, a boar spirit deity, from the southwestern coastal region of India, specifically in modern Kerala. The intricately designed headpiece was created for use in local dance festivals, known as Dharmanema, which are held annually between February and May to honor and propitiate the regional tutelary spirit deities. The boar spirit deity, Panjurli, is a powerful and important Genius Loci, born of the forest and revered in this lush tropical region. He is believed to uphold righteousness and is identified as a manifestation of Vishnu, the supreme Hindu god of preservation and social order. This religious correlation is expressed in the visual similarity between Panjurli and Varaha, the boar-headed avatar of Vishnu. Dancers' headpieces and masks from Kerala are known for their large size and intricate design, and are typically made in one of three primary media: wood, papier-mache, and bronze/copper alloy. This headpiece is a remarkable example of the genre due to its superb artistic quality, pronounced facial modeling, and complex ornamentation. The intricate details and expressive features of the Panjurli Bhuta headpiece evoke a sense of power and reverence, making it a true tour de force of the genre.
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