1916.9.109
Name and identification of character
This Kolam mask can be used as representing either a Moorish police sergeant, marakkala sajan (Sin.), or a sepoy, an Indian policeman in the British colonial police force, sipoy (Sin.).
Context
The Moorish policeman is a character in the story portion, Gon-koti kathava (Sin.), in Kolam. The sepoy is a character in the dance of the policemen, called Polis Kolama.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The mask depicts a combination of two ethnic figures, a Moorish policeman and a sepoy. The number M270 is registered on the cap. ¿M¿ is possibly indicating ¿Marakkala¿, meaning a Moor. The colour combination is contrastive; the face is yellow, the beard is black and the cap is red. The face displays a fierce look. The mouth is demonic in appearance and the staring eyes add to the angry look.
2000 07 10
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka