1916.9.214
Name and identification of character
A soldier/warrior, hevaya (or hevarala or heva kolam) (Sin.).
Context
This character appears with a group of soldiers in the first stage of the Kolam performance, in the dance of the warriors, heva kolam (Sin.). The soldiers are made to enter the place of performance in order to uphold law and order. Their duty is to maintain discipline prior to the arrival of the royal party (vide Preface).
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The face has a reddish colour. The eyes are turned upwards. The leeches stuck on the face look like decorative pieces; the two leeches on the forehead assume the form of an arch or an ornamented portico. The leeches issuing from the nostrils and the chin have been carved in the shape of side-whiskers. The lower lip is split in the middle.
2000 06 03
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka