mask

1916.9.75

Name and identification of character
The mask is not clearly identifiable. The mask depicts an old man, naki miniha (Sin.), or the god of gods, Sakra (cf.1916.9.62), in the guise of an old man.

Context
A character appearing in the story portion in Kolam. The same mask is used in the god ritual Gammaduva (cf. 1916.9.62) to represent Sakra who appears in the guise of an old man.

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

Iconography
A special feature of this mask is the beard made of hemp or club moss, badal uanassa (Sin.), separately attached to the mask with a thread. Wrinkles in wavy grooves are cut and painted in pink on the forehead, around the cheeks and the chin. The face is reddish yellow. The chin is grooved. The eyes are sunk. The nose is straight and the nostrils are painted in the shape of two black spots. Two protruding front teeth. Gums and lips are painted in pink. There are no ears.

Comments on the Umlauff Catalogue
The mask does not depict a drummer, as is suggested in the Umlauff Catalogue.

2000 05 15
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka