mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.185

Name and identification of character
A lion, simhaya (Sin.).

Context
The lion is an animal character in a solo dance in Kolam.

Material
Wood, Vel-kaduru (Nux vomica).

Iconography
The mask is painted in yellow with a mixture of reddish brown. The face is gorgeously coloured and floridly decorated with Kandyan art motifs. The imposing crest enhances the heraldic aspect of the lion figure. The mask is deeply hollowed from the inside. A panel of red and black petal designs is seen on the forehead. The ears are raised, indicating that the animal is on the prowl.

This presentation of the lion is popularly known as kesara simha (Sin.), with a prominent mane and crest. It has a long and stout snout, spike shaped canine teeth and two curved eye-teeth in an open mouth. There is no tongue, although there is a nail inside the mouth indicating that there has been one (usually made of leather and fixed inside the mouth with a nail).

Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka
2000 06 06