Vishnu or Prahalada, Son of Hiranyakashipu
Southern India, Tamil Nadu, probably Thanjavur district
Not on view
This mask depicting a handsome crowned male is likely intended to represent Vishnu himself, though he does not normally feature directly in the temple dramas, as Narasimha serves as his ferocious manifestation. Nonetheless, Vishnu’s presence is understood; he presides over the performance while not directly participating in it. Alternatively, this mask may be intended to represent Prahalada, the devotee for whom Vishnu interceded as the man-lion savior.
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