mask

1916.9.222 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 carver appears to have been more precise in colour and tone variations than in the matter of iconography. The colour of the face suggests the use of stone minerals; gal sayam (Sin.), to produce the relevant colours; yellow and red. The resulting picture of the face may trick one to identify it as a clay mask. But an examination of the interior of the mask clearly reveals that is has been carved from Nux-vomica wood. However, iconographic precision has not been respected. Although the normal attributes of warrior masks, heva kolam (Sin.), such as wounds, swellings, gashes and leeches sticking to the face, are present, these are used for decorative purposes. The leeches carved on the forehead and on the chin are carved as external ornaments of this character. One cannot be certain that leeches eat the flesh of a man in an artistic manner. 2000 06 03 Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka