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mask
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1916.9.295
Name and identification of character
The cobra king called Bhuma na-raja (Sin.).
Context
A demon character in stage two in a Kolam performance.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The mask is huge and heavy with an abundance of cobras in a variety of decorative shapes. A few masks of huge proportions have been used in Kolam dancing as evidenced from the cross-plank, kattuva (Sin.), attached to the mask from the inside. It enables the dancer to balance the tall structure.
A demonic face and a headdress composed of a large cobra, with an expanded neck, which shelters three smaller cobras. These are connected to a petal shaped wooden plank indicating a forehead ornament of sacred significance, tilaka (Sin.). The large cobra-hood represents the mythical cobra king called maha kela na raju (Sin.), who is supposed to have sheltered the Buddha from rain. The cobras have been decorated with the usual colour combinations and geometric pattern. These contain small red dots and white and black lines.
The mouth is broad and the space between the two rows of teeth is for the dancer to see through.
2000 09 04
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka
Title: mask
Description:
1916.
9.
295
Name and identification of character
The cobra king called Bhuma na-raja (Sin.
).
Context
A demon character in stage two in a Kolam performance.
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.
) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The mask is huge and heavy with an abundance of cobras in a variety of decorative shapes.
A few masks of huge proportions have been used in Kolam dancing as evidenced from the cross-plank, kattuva (Sin.
), attached to the mask from the inside.
It enables the dancer to balance the tall structure.
A demonic face and a headdress composed of a large cobra, with an expanded neck, which shelters three smaller cobras.
These are connected to a petal shaped wooden plank indicating a forehead ornament of sacred significance, tilaka (Sin.
).
The large cobra-hood represents the mythical cobra king called maha kela na raju (Sin.
), who is supposed to have sheltered the Buddha from rain.
The cobras have been decorated with the usual colour combinations and geometric pattern.
These contain small red dots and white and black lines.
The mouth is broad and the space between the two rows of teeth is for the dancer to see through.
2000 09 04
Dr.
M.
H.
Goonatilleka.
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