This is Rama, identified by the bow and arrow in his hands and the vertical religious mark on his forehead. Sometimes, Lakshmna, Rama’s younger brother, is depicted with similar iconography.

This is in folk style, marked by the conical crown. The crown is almost like a peaked cap of Santa Claus. Another thing that intrigued me is the trouble the artist has taken to fix the bow and arrow to the figure. Normally, they are cast separately and are detachable. Invariably, they get lost, but not in this case.

The flowing hairlock in the front adds to the touch.

This is most likely from the Telugu-speaking areas of South India. It may be dated to the 20th century. It is about 14.5 cm tall.

A robust bronze. It finds its place in my collection for its folk nature and geographic attribution.

Note: There was a suggestion that this may be Ghantakarna Mahaveer, a protective deity from the Jain faith. It is the vertical religious mark on his forehead that strengthens the identification as Rama.