1916.9.282
Name and identification of character
A cobra demon called naga raksa (Sin.), or naga rassaya (Sin.).
Context
A demon character performing a dance in groups of two in stage two in a Kolam performance.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
A mask of the cobra demon variety, replete with distinctive attributes such as coiling and hooded cobras, imposing circular ear-discs, animal shaped mouth, goggled eyes, eye-teeth growing into tusks, and a stout nose. The cobra-hoods on the head are five in number. Two cobra hoods are rising from each earlobe, forming a circular pattern normally referred to by the carvers as a vattuva (Sin.). Two cobras issue from the nostrils. The mouth is broad and painted in cherry red. The chin is flat. The two rows of teeth are carved leaving a space between them, facilitating the vision of the dancer. A lapping tongue is painted in red. All the normal descriptive details and ornamentation are prominently registered on the eyebrows. The ventrals of the cobras are painted in red, black and white semi-circular lines.
2000 07 13
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka