mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.213

Name and identification of character
A soldier/warrior, hevaya (or hevarala or heva kolam) (Sin.).

Context
This character appears with a group of soldiers in the first stage of the Kolam performance, in the dance of the warriors, heva kolam (Sin.). The soldiers are made to enter the place of performance in order to uphold law and order. Their duty is to maintain discipline prior to the arrival of the royal party (vide Preface).

Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).

Iconography
The hat is in the shape of a European top hat. Normally the soldiers wear broad-brimmed hats, which are separately fitted to the masks. In this case, the hat and the face are carved in one piece. The hat is painted in whitish yellow. The face is lemon yellow in colour. The sword cuts have been used as decorative motifs. For example the cut on the upper lip is shaped to form a pattern together with the gums. The wide-open mouth is similar to that of a demon, but the side-whiskers indicate that the warrior is of a high rank. The leeches on the cheeks and the chin are well crafted and painted in black.

2000 06 03
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka