mask (ansiktsmask), naga raksha, naga rassaya

1916.9.277

Name and identification of character
A cobra demon, naga raksha (Sin.), also referred to as naga rassaya (Sin.).

Context
A demon character in a solo dance in Kolam. In later Kolam repertoires the mask becomes a character in an episodic interplay (vide Preface).

Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).

Iconography
The head-piece is ornamented with coiling cobras. Stylistically, the mask is of Kolam type. There are seven cobra-hoods, which have been reduced to a systematic design in the shape of a crown. The centre hood rises from above the bridge of the nose, separated from the nose by a decorated sacred spot, tilaka (Sin.). The other six cobra-hoods flank the centre hood. The cobras form a crown-like head-dress. Two more tiny cobras and two eye-teeth, in the shape of tusks, emerge from the corners of the mouth. The circular ears are richly decorated in petal and flower designs. A cobra borders each ear, with the hood rising upwards. The mouth is large and fills almost the entire face. Bulging eyes. There are leaf designs over the eyes, covering the entire eyebrows. The nose is small and painted in grey.

2000 07 26
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka