1916.9.296
Name and identification of character
A cobra demon, naga raksaya (Sin.), or naga rassaya (Sin.).
Context
A demon character in stage two in a Kolam performance.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The mask has a demon face. The head-dress and the ears are ornamented with cobras. The head-dress is tall and narrow and is surmounted by five cobra hoods rising from the ornamented eyebrows of the facemask. Protruding eyes. Two cobras emerge from the nostrils. Two eye-teeth cross over the two cobras. The eyebrows are reduced to the normal design of demon masks, replete with geometric patterns and line drawings. Two other cobras appear on each side of the face, forming a spiral.
The half-open mouth displays a shape commonly noticed in the masks of the Sanni category.
2000 09 05
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka