1916.9.312
Name and identification of character
A mythical bird in the form of a demon, gurulu rassaya, or garunda raksa (Sin.).
Context
Stage two in a Kolam performance.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The mask has a beak and a bird-like face. The shape of the beak and its red colour are common features of the masks representing gurulu rassaya, or garunda raksa (Sin.).
The head-piece is low-cut and comprises flower and foliage ornamentations. According to the narrative verses, this mythical being is supposed to be associated either with a relic dome, dagoba, or caityaya (Sin.) (vide specimen 1916.9.313), or with a tree, caitya urksaya (Sin.) (ficus religiosa), the flower of which is used here for ornamentation.
The ears are missing.
2000 12 27
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka