1916.9.339
Name and identification of character
The demon of death, commonly referred to as maru raksa (Sin.) or maru rassaya (Sin.).
Context
A demon character appearing in two contexts: in stage two in a Kolam performance and in the episode known as rama-märilla (Sin.) in the god ritual Devol-maduva (vide Preface).
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
A tall and narrow mask with a headdress in the form of spires symbolising flames. The same motif is painted below the top tire in green and red. The eyebrows are painted in the petal design common to the masks of this genre. Over the eyebrows is a tendril motif, suli-väl (Sin.), painted in yellow. The ends are curved in the form of a flower, a pattern that is similar to specimen 1916.9.335. It is in the shape of a forehead band in filigree work. Geometric decorations are painted around the bulging eyes in yellow, red and black. In order to suggest that the eyes are red-hot the eyelashes are drawn in red. The face is painted in red. A snub nose. A triangular wooden piece, depicting a flame, is carved on the bridge of the nose. The mouth is wide open displaying two prominent white eye-teeth in the shape of tusks. The lower jaw is detachable. The brightly coloured eyebrows, eyelids and the forehead band play down the fearsome look of the mask. This is to ease the fear of the patient.
2000 07 18
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka