mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.336

Name and identification of character
A demon, either purnaka raksa (Sin.) or maru rassaya (Sin.) (vide Preface).

Context
Stage two in a Kolam performance.

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

Iconography
The mask exemplifies the iconographic features and the conventionalised artistry common to the masks of the purnaka demon. The mask has the face of an animal. The mouth is in the shape of a snout. It is half-open and broad. The two rows of teeth are carved in small proportions. Four eye-teeth. Space is provided between the two rows of teeth for the dancer to see through. The eyes are bulging and painted in black, yellow and red. The eyebrows are in the form of petal designs, pala-peti (Sin.). The nose is stout. The face is painted in red. The head-dress is in three tiers. The topmost tier comprises a ring of spires or prongs painted in yellow, black and red tapering up in a spiral form symbolising flames of fire. Under the prongs is a decorative band with petal motifs. At the bottom is another ornamented band, which is painted in white with red and black lines. The design of this belt may indicate either hair or, as the colour suggests, ashes dropping from the flames.

One of the spires is damaged.

2000 07 17
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka