By Thiloththama Jayasinghe, Jadetimes News
Undoubtedly, the traditional mask holds a special place in the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. Known as the "pearl of the Indian Ocean," Sri Lanka is a land where millennia-old traditions exist simultaneously with cutting-edge 21st-century trends. Still, among all this, mask-making is one creative tradition that is applied and practiced from simple entertainment to elaborate ritualistic healing performances and religious ritual dramas.
There are three main types of masks:
1. Raksha (Demon) Masks: Normally worn on the streets and during festivals, they are more complex and colorful than the others, resembling different mythical demons and other characters in relation to local legends.
2. Sanni (Devil) Masks: Performing in the devil and demon dances, they constitute an intricate effective part of traditional healing. There is, as a matter of fact, the imagined aspect of chasing away demons and infections, attributing to the spirit of belief in the spiritual relationship between the mask and the function of healing.
3. Kolam (Folktale) Masks: Each mask is put on for performing a different folktale and to dramatize stories in a storytelling scene. Each mask adorns a different character, so the performance is very scenic and rich in forms.
These masks are the result of such a painstaking craft and are performed mainly by an 'edura,' which is an exorcist. The masks are made from carving the bark of the trees native to Sri Lanka. Peeling the bark of the tree is done with great care, after which the trunk is sectioned into convenient pieces, whittled, carved, and polished with leaves of various types to their final product.
Despite modern influences, these traditional masks continue to play a significant role in Sri Lankan culture. While they are primarily used in dramas and dance performances today, they still retain their traditional associations with healing and protection, especially in rural areas.
It is an art form that is not only represented by cultural practices but also through interactive sessions where the public carves these masks. These workshops give firsthand experience in appreciation of the nature of designs and work involved or that goes into making Kolam masks to ensure perpetuation of this ancient art form.
