mask

Mask, dantoberre kolan. Sri Lanka Ceylon (Danta = tand). Brett gult ansikte med platt näsa och stora utstående öron. Mun med endast 4 stora tänder. Höjd: 24 cm. Bredd: 28 cm. [ocr] 1916.9.67 Name and identification of character The young drummer, podi panikkale (Sin.). Context The episode of anabera kolama (Sin.). Material Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica). Iconography The iconography of masks representing character types is largely fixed by the specifications contained in the prescriptive verses, called ämbum kavi (Sin.) (verses detailing prescriptive formulae). Nevertheless, there is a great deal of variation between different masks portraying the same character. Masks of the drummer, anabera-karaya or panikkale (Sin.), display such differences, which at times relate to regional variations, by the workshops of different master carvers. There are, however, clues to identify the character. The mask of a drummer has a head-dress, a turban, uramava (Sin.), with the ends dangling. The turban helps the drummer to keep his long, dishevelled hair in place. The cheeks are hollowed. In accordance with the Kolam texts, the drummer is depicted with wrinkles on his cheeks and forehead, and a hollow mouth with four loose and irregular teeth. These characteristics unveil the portraiture of a pathetic character, low in the social gradation of the village. 2000 03 23 Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka Mask, dantoberre kolan. Sri Lanka Ceylon (Danta = Tooth). Wide yellow face with flat nose and large outlying ears. Mouse with only 4 large teeth. Height: 24 cm. Width: 28 cm. [ocr] 1916.09.0067 Mask, dantoberre kolan. 1916.09.0067 Sri Lanka Ceylon