1916.9.216
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 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 mask is yellowish brown in colour. Cut marks from swords are prominently carved on the lower and upper lip and on the nose. The leeches are painted. Both sets of teeth are carved in the wide-open mouth. As in many other masks representing warriors, the mouth is distorted, giving it a devilish appearance.
2000 06 03
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka