Maisandaya Bhuta Mask

This is a bronze Maisandaya Bhutha mask from Coastal Karnataka/Kerala. The piece is adorned with detailing of a decorated harness and jewellery around the horns. Maisandaya, also known as Nandikona, is a revered spirit (Daiva) in the Bhuta Kola tradition of Tulu Nadu, a region in coastal Karnataka, India. It is usually worshipped by the agrarian communities of the Tulu land (parts of South Karnataka and North Kerala) as a gesture to thank its contribution to agriculture. Maisandaya is often depicted as a bull and is associated with the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva, Nandi.
Bhuta Kola is a form of spirit worship where rituals are performed to honour these spirits, who are believed to protect and bring prosperity to the community. Bhoothas (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 Bhutas are closely related to and also embody the wild, dangerous, and fertile aspects of divine power.