mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.227

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 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 mask is painted in ash-grey. The iconographic features are common to other warrior masks. Among these familiar details are the broad, grinning mouth, irregular teeth, and the swellings on the dented cheeks. Paint on the forehead has been scraped. A tilaka (Sin.) made of glass on the forehead.

2000 06 03
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka