NDLI: Korku Mask

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Korku Mask

Content Provider	IGNCA - Man and Mask
Description	Korkus are found in high concentration in the Betul and Nanded districts in Madhya Pradesh. The habitat of the Korkus is in the mountains and forests slopes. Literallly Korku means ‘men’ or a ‘street-man’, or 'wanderer.' Korkus are divided into four major divisions: Ruma, Bondoya, Movasi, and Goyara. Korkus are animist and nature worshippers. They also worship the Earth, sun-god, and moon-god and Kaga-Bhusundi, connected with their myth of the creation of mankind, is also held in high esteem. In their rituals Shiva, Rama, and Sita, Hanumana, and Krishna also figure as deities, and yet, they also honour Ravana, Mighanada and Kumbhakarana. The worship of various gods, ancestors, and other rituals involving the heroes (and antagonists) of Hindu narratives demonstrate the influence and mingling of outside cultures. Korkus from the Betul area are shift cultivators. They have a rich tradition of performances of Gammat Swang, in which sharp comments are made on social ills. Carved elaborately from the light Salai wood, several masks are worn during these performances. Masked characters like Sadhubaba, with his sharp jabs at hypocrisy. Krishnababa (no relation with the Puranic Krishna), Ponga Pandit, the priests and Mukhia Baba and Ghatia feature in Gammat-Swang performances during Deepawali. The masks of Peerbaba, Bhilatdeo, and his younger brother Kalababa are prayed to for boons. Bhilatdeo grants wishes and children, while Kalababa cures snakebites. They are worn at the Mahadeo Mela or the Shivaratri Mela in Magh at Panchmarhi. The masks of Chunnilal and Ranglal are comic characters, which can be worn by anyone at Sidoli, which is a ceremonial feast in memory of the ancestors. The mask of Tapti Maiyya honours the river and is worshipped on the Devaprabodhini day and then immersed in water. Dakin masks are worn to ward off evil spirits. The masks are made of Sagon, Haldu, Salai, Semal and Palasa. Significant and symbolic motifs are carved on the face.
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Ancient Human Practice Anthropology Anthropomorphic Art Work Art History Betul Bhilatdeo Bhusundi Bondoya Ceremonies and Practices Chunnilal Dakin Decorative Mask Deepawali Festival Disguise Drama Theraphy Goyara Haldu Hanuman Kalababa Krishna Krishnababa Kumbhakarna Madhya Pradesh Magh Mahadeo Mela Mela Mighanada Movasi Mukhia Baba Museum Object Nanded Ornamentation Palasa Panchmarhi Peerbaba Performance Performing Art Ponga Pandit Puranic Krishna Rama Ravana Ritual Mask Sadhubaba Sagon Salai Sculpture Semal Shiva Shivaratri Sidoli Sita Swang Tapti Maiya
Content Type	Image Text
Resource Type	Visual Artwork

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