mask, vädda kolam

1916.9.168

Name and identification of character
A forest dwelling hunter in a high position, vädda kolam (Sin.).

Context
The story portion in Kolam performances.

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

Iconography
The head-dress is carved into oval-shaped flappers, which join over the centre of the forehead band in a hollowed circle. The flappers are decorated with fanciful designs. These are in the form of arches, arukku (Sin.). The shape and paint of the innermost arch appears to represent part of a cobra-hood. The arch above it represents two sprigs of a coconut-flower, pol-mal kiniti (Sin.), issuing from a tiny water-pot. Both dull colours like grey and bright ones like red and blue have been used. The forehead band is in two parts, separated by a thin red line. The upper part reveals frills of the hair on the head. The lower part contains geometrical patterns. The face is dark green. The closed mouth has an upper harelip, kudimbi tola (Sin.).

2000 10 01
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka