1916.9.143
Name and identification of character
A mask of the small variety, referred to as käta muna, käta munu, or käta muhunak (Sin.), used to represent stock type characters. Not identifiable.
Context
The mask can be used either in Kolam or in Sanni ritual.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
An elongated face painted in red. There are no ears. Greenish black paint has been rubbed on the head. Semi-circular eyebrows. A strong and straight nose.
Damages
Paint has been erased on some parts of the face, such as the chin and the iris.
Comments on the Umlauff Catalogue
The mask has been identified as depicting a villager in the Umlauff Catalogue. The colour of the face (red) does not suggest a villager. Basic facial pigmentation of the simple village folk is normally grey, brown or greenish yellow.
2000 03 23
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka