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Iconographic Meaning

Wrinkled skin, sunken cheeks, deep set dark eyes, missing teeth and sagging chin are all meant to symbolize very old age

Cultural Context

exorcism

History Of Use

The Kolam is a secular entertainment with considerable elements of social satire. It incorporates narrative, mime, dance, and music. A Kolam performance usually has four episodes the precise content of which may vary. These consist of a prelude, detailing the origin of the drama; the arrival of a royal party and dances by characters mythical, human and animal; enactment of a popular story or stories; and a purifying demon dance. This character is Nonci, an old village wife, married to Panikkala, the old village husband. Nonci is said to still harbour lustful thoughts about men. She and her husband dance in a comical scene which is a prelude to a following unrelated performance. These two characters take part in various comical situations.

Description

Mask with humanoid face, ovoid shaped, with black hair and sunken eye sockets, grey-white eyeballs with crescent-shaped openings under each eye, an open mouth with thin red lips and four large grey-white teeth (two top, and two bottom), a pointed chin, protruding ears, and a small pointed nose. The face and ears are painted orange-brown. Incised grooves in the cheeks and ridges on the forehead indicate wrinkles. Wire is strung between large holes behind the ears.