mask, naga gurulu rassaya

1916.9.315

Name and identification of character
A demon character called naga-gurula (Sin.), a cobra-cum-gurulu (bird) demon.

Context
Satge two in a Kolam performance.

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

Iconography
The mask belongs to the gurulu group, characterised by the bill painted in red. The circular ear-discs are ornamented with a lotus and petal design, pala-peti (Sin.), with foliage rising upwards. There is an abundance of cobras. A tiny cobra issues from the bill and two cobras emerge from the corners of the mouth. Another cobra is carved between the eyebrows. It represents a tilaka sign.

Masks of the gurulu group have headdresses either in the shape of a relic-chamber, dagoba (Sin.), or in the form of a cotton flower. This mask has a dagoba in three tiers. The chamber itself is decorated with the leaves of the bo-tree, which is sacred to the Buddhists. The plumage spreads out in the shape of a crown ornamented with peacock feathers normally used in god-rituals.

2001 03 01
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka