mask

1916.9.215 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 A broad face. The eyes and the mouth are sunken. The face is painted in reddish brown. Paint on the narrow forehead has been rubbed off. The mask conveys a demonic expression with numerous contortions, swellings and cuts. The facial features bear witness of various aspects of the experiences the soldiers have had. The mouth is broad, displaying both sets of teeth including two tiny eye-teeth. According to the narrative verses the soldiers reel off into a tremendous bout of bragging about their might and valour. They are unconscious of the leeches stuck to their faces as a consequence of drinking from a muddy pool of water. But when the narrator reveals their plight, they stop boasting and realise that the audience is laughing. The audience sees the leeches on the warriors' faces, but the warriors don't. Only when the narrator directs them to look at each other's faces, the warriors realise the predicament they are in. But each one looks at the others' faces and pokes fun at them, unmindful of his own sorry plight. The broad grin of the open mouth conveys the irony of the situation. 03 07 2000 Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka