mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.33

Name and identification of character
Kolam mask depicting a foreign merchant, a moneylender, Hettiya (Sin.) or Hettirala (Sin.).

Context
Different groups of foreign merchants of Indian descent appear in the second stage of a Kolam performance. Historical records show that they have migrated from the Coromendal coast (western) of India. Most of them maintained shops in the bigger cities like Colombo. Hettiya or Hettirala is one of them. This character appears in a solo dance to the amusement of the audience. A witty and humorous conversation, with double entendre, ensues between him and the narrator.

Material
Wood, Vel-kaduru (Nux vomica).

Iconography
The paint has faded, but the white base colour is noticeable. On the centre of the cap is a drawing of a small tree, coloured in pink and black. It has no relevance to the delineation of the character. The elongated ear lobes, and the earring, kadukama (Sin.) suspending from it, clearly reveal the Indian origin of the character. The face is painted in a dull colour, perhaps grey or paint made of ochre, hiriyal (Sin.). Small teeth are visible in an otherwise closed mouth. The lips are painted red. The moustache is curved at the ends. The mask is very light.

13 06 2000
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka