mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.212

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
An unfinished mask. The facial texture is uneven. Chisel strokes are clearly noticed. The face has been given a preliminary coating with a mixture of ash and white pigments. There are three gashes painted in red on the forehead. The nose and the mouth are broad, and the nose and the upper lip are slit. Unlike in other masks of this group, the sculptural details are not clear. For instance, the leeches are only drawn on the face. These are not well executed, neither are they painted. The mask does not convey the impression of a ¿blood-thirsty devil¿. The carving is amateurish. The headband is merely painted with white and black paint. The wood has not been well tempered. One ear is missing.

2000 06 03
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka