Sculpture, Bhuta Wood

Sukumar Gudigar

In South Kannada district, especially in the Tulunadu region, there exists a living cult of Bhuta worship (bhutaradhane). This community crafts multichrome sculptures of male and female ancestors, Bhuta spirits and deities, carved from solid blocks of wood obtained from the jackfruit tree. These are then offered at village shrines and Bhuta-sthanas around Peepal or Banyan trees.

Medium
Inkjet Print

Dimensions
17 3/4 × 12 5/8″ (45.1 × 32.1 cm)

Credits
Samuel J. Wagstaff, Jr. Fund

Object Number
545.2022.48

Copyright
© 2023 David Horvitz

Discipline
Craft

Category
Exhibition