Ganesha

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, does not have a role in the Hiranyakashipu story, but his presence on stage brings auspiciousness to the event. He appears before all such performances to ensure their success and provides a prelude to the main narrative. The articulated trunk and ears (now lost) would have given the actor who wore this mask a lively and endearing stage presence.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art