mask

1916.9.247

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 indicates long wear. The wood is decayed. The carver has apparently combined the features of a Sanni mask (vide Preface) and a warrior mask. The cobra emerging from the corner of the mouth is indicative of deafness (vide Preface). The long teeth hanging down in the shape of a bunch of bananas is also a characteristic feature of a Sanni mask representing deafness (vide Goonatilleka, 1978:37). Although, the leeches stuck to the corners of the mouth, the sword cut on the lower jaw, and the deformed upper gum are clues to identify the mask as representing a warrior.

2000 06 03
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka