This is a brass Bhoota (Bhuta) of a figure riding on a horse. He is the divine spirit or Daiyva of a male warrior and a cultural hero worshipped as a part of Bhuta Kola. The rider is shown wearing an Ani, the large, halo-like structure worn on the back of a dancer during Bhoota Kola rituals. The "ani" represents the divine aura or power of the Bhoota deity, enhancing the visual impact of the performance. Bhootas (Bhutas) are deities and spirits worshipped widely in South Kanara, the coastal areas of Karnataka as well as in Kerala. They are generally considered deities, such as apotheosized local heroes or heroines or the spirits of wild animals dwelling in forests. The Bhootas (Bhutas) are closely related to and also embody the wild, dangerous, and fertile aspects of divine power.
