mask (ansiktsmask), Maname kumariya, princess maname

1916.9.11

Name and identification of character
Kolam mask depicting Princess Maname, Maname kumariya (Sin.).

Context
Nos. 1916.9.11-12, 16-18, 21-22 should be studied together. These masks portray characters appearing in the story named Maname Kathava (Sin.). The characters involve Prince Maname, his queen referred to as Princess Maname, the chieftain of the Väddas, called Vädi Raju (king of the Väddas, vide Preface), and his assistant, the Vädi Kankanama (the leader of the Vädda king's retinue), and other members of the Väddas.

Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Nux vomica), and traditional paint.

Iconography
The small coronet is referred to as a baga otunna (Sin.) (baga means half and otunna means crown), which is a reduction from the headgear of a queen. It is decorated with the normal floral and petal designs, but has a lesser height than the crown of a queen.

The face is crudely painted in lemon yellow. The face is flushed. Lips are closed and a new touch of red paint appears to have been given. The mask has been in long use and the paint has either been worn off or a new coating has been given as noticed from patches on the eyebrow.

Comments on the Umlauff Catalogue
The Umlauff Catalogue wrongly refers to this mask as Vikrama-Sinha Devi (the Queen of King Vikrama-Sinha (Sin.), See preface)

2000 02 16
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka