‘Poothan’, Keralam’s ritual mask on display at Anthropological Museum

Mysore/Mysuru: A month-long exhibition on ‘Poothan,’ a ritual mask from Keralam, was inaugurated at the Zonal Anthropological Museum of the Anthropological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre (SRC), Mysuru, on International Museum Day yesterday.

Deputy Director Dr. Harasawaradhana and Head of Office Dr. Mithun Sikdar inaugurated the exhibition curated by Dr. Banita Behera under the ‘Object of the Month’ series. The exhibition will remain open to the public for a month.

‘Poothan’ is a carved wooden mask used in Keralam’s traditional Poothan-Thira ritual performance. In the ritual, ‘Poothan’ is regarded as a companion of Lord Shiva accompanying Goddess Bhadrakali, while Thira represents Goddess Kali. The ritual, practised by the Mannan, Vannan and Perumannan communities in South Malabar, symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

The mask, usually carved from a single block of jackfruit wood, features bulging eyes, an extended tongue and a semi-circular wooden headgear decorated with bamboo, peacock feathers and mirrors.

During the performance, artistes dressed in bright red costumes with ornamental embellishments perform to the accompaniment of drums and horns, using energetic gestures and loud chants.