TITLE: Narasimha Mask
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Asia
COUNTRY: India
SUBREGION: Uttar Pradesh
ETHNICITY: Hindi
DESCRIPTION: Narasimha (Lion God) Mask for Ramlila
CATALOG ID: ASIN006
MAKER: Unknown maker in Varanasi
CEREMONY: Ramlila of Ramnagar
FUNCTION: Celebration; Entertainment
AGE: 1950s
MAIN MATERIAL: paper maché
OTHER MATERIALS: paint; rubber bands; plaint fibers; hardware; adhesive
The Ramlila of Ramnagar is a month-long, open-air theatrical presentation of the Hindu religious epic, the Ramayana. The Ramayana is one of the main religious texts of the Hindu religion, and revolves around the story of the demon king Ravana, who abducted Sita, the wife of Rama (seventh avatar of Vishnu), and Rama’s quest to recover Sita and punish Ravana. Traditionally, the plays are performed in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, where the tradition originated at least two centuries ago.
This mask represents Narasimha, the half-lion half-human god who is the fourth avatar of Vishnu and known as the great protector of Vishnu’s devotees. In Hindu mythology, Narasimha could accomplish the impossible, such as slaying the otherwise-invincible demon king Hiranyakashipu, who ruled hte universe for over 107 million years.
